Brive Book Fair. The commissioner reveals the secret of a unique success in France

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With nearly 70,000 books sold and an overall turnover of 970,000 euros in 2023, or one book sold per second, the Brive Book Fairis displayed asliterary event the largest organized in the province. This year, the honorary presidency was awarded to Jérôme Garcin*.

This year, there will be more than 400 authors in Brive November 8, 9 and 10 ! FREE ENTRANCE.

Former director ofEdmond Michelet de Brive school complex, François David was entrusted with the reins of general commissioner of the Brive Book Fair. He lives near Souillacwhere he made a brief stint at town hall.

How do you become general commissioner of the Brive Book Fair?

François David: Quite simply because Frédéric Soulier, the mayor of Brive, thought it would suit me. I must say that we already had excellent neighborly relations and that he was able to show me his solidarity at one point. Also, by accepting this mission, it was for my part, a way of returning the favor!

“It is therefore up to me to give full meaning to the event and to maintain a certain spirit: the spirit of the Brive Book Fair” François David

What does being general commissioner of the Book Fair mean?

First, I will highlight a fantastic team, that is to say a lot of people who work for the success of this event, especially in the last two months. The Brive town hall takes care of all the material part, that is to say the hotels, the supervision of volunteers… Beyond all the material and technical aspects, I would say that it is above all a model which works and which is based on a tripartite organization with on the one hand the publishing houses which register authors. This year, 1000 registration requests were received. On the other hand, we are dealing with a booksellers’ GIE which is doing magnificent work, of which my interlocutor is the president of this GIE, a bookseller. Thirdly, in the middle of the first two that I have just cited, we find the City of Brive which appointed me to the position of general commissioner. In my place, it is therefore up to me to give full meaning to the event and to maintain a certain spirit: the spirit of the Brive Book Fair.

More than 500 volunteers mobilized during the three days of the Fair

In terms of numbers, what does this represent?

The town hall has retained 200 volunteers, the booksellers are also calling on 200 volunteers. Over the three days of the event, around a hundred municipal employees were mobilized. Thus 500 people are on deck on the big days. Added to this are the staff of publishing houses, to mention only the most important positions. I have not forgotten the personnel dedicated to security either, a system placed under the aegis of the sub-prefect who coordinates municipal police, national police and others! The security post has taken a preponderant place in the Fair’s budget, there is no question of skimping at this level, even if it tends to limit our ambitions.

How do you experience this commitment with the burden of responsibility that it represents?

For my part, I feel that I must be extremely modest. It is appropriate to show a lot of listening, with the publishing houses, with the authors, without forgetting the actors of local life, because the event has a direct impact on economic life, whether with hoteliers, restaurateurs, taxis, traders… Ultimately it is a very broad ecosystem. Sometimes it is appropriate to simply say “no”. Besides, I find it fascinating to bring opposites together… And when we manage to get people who don’t think the same way to work together and who agree to embark on an adventure around common projects, generally a dynamic starts and it’s a win. In any case, I want to be a facilitator; it is this perspective that has guided me all my life.

“I turn around and I see these stones from which I had made mountains” Gandhi

We can imagine that the approach of the opening date of the doors of the Fair generates a certain stress, what do you fear the most?

I know that there is an element of the unexpected in this type of event, but my entire life as head of a school has been punctuated by unexpected events. Of course, what I fear the most is a safety accident, or even a road accident linked to a trip to the Fair… I really like Gandhi’s phrase, which says: “I turn around and I see these pebbles from which I had made mountains.” It’s a bit like that with the Fair. In any case, overall it’s very pleasant to work for the Fair.

How do you choose the honorary president of the Fair each year?

One of the aspects of my mission consists of proposing to the mayor two or three names, motivated of course, but ultimately, it is he who chooses. We seek to alternate men and women and to find people who have the spirit of Brive, in other words people who do not take themselves seriously and who agree to enter a simple, popular Fair. We are in Brive-la-Gaillarde and not in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Furthermore, we are encouraged by the feedback we have received from authors, who say they are struck by the quality of the dialogues they have with their readers during the Brive Fair.

And what is the most exciting moment?

These moments number in the thousands! What’s exciting is seeing the faces of happy people and I repeat there are so many of them! I have memories in spades. The first year I took care of the Fair, there were several annoying incidents and what’s more, it was raining! However, the queue to get back stretched endlessly over several hundred meters! At that time I met some people from Toulouse who had come by bus, entering the hall all smiles! I must say that this left an impression on me!

The Brive Fair is “a good bit” of a lot of things combined

Why does the Brive Fair still hold the top spot?

I won’t be able to explain it. The question reminds me of my wife’s grandmother, when we asked her how many ingredients needed to make the cake and she replied: “a good bit”! So the Brive Fair is like that, “a good bit” of a lot of things combined! In other words, it is indefinable. However, it remains extraordinary that in November in a town like Brive, 70,000 books were sold in 30 hours, for a turnover that approached one million euros. I can’t figure it out myself, come and see!

* Journalist and writer, Jérôme Garcin hosted the cult France Inter show, Le Masque et la Plume, for 35 years (1989 – 2024). He in turn directed the editorial staff of the cultural pages of the magazines L’Express (1994-1996) and Le Nouvel Obs (1996-2023). In addition to his media activities, Jérôme Garcin is the author of numerous works, often awarded prizes, including Pour Jean Prévost (Gallimard, 1994, Prix Médicis Essai), La Chute de cheval (Gallimard, 1998, Prix Roger Nimier) and Le Dernier Hiver du Cid (Gallimard, 2019, Prix des Deux Magots). More recently, Mes Fragiles (Gallimard, 2023) was one of the notable texts for the 2023 winter school year. Jérôme Garcin received the Prince Pierre of Monaco Prize and the Henri-Gal Grand Prize for Literature from the Institute of France.

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