Faithful to the diversity of talents, which he appreciates, the president of the year, Jérôme Garcin chose to invite actresses and photographers as well as authors, such as Camel Daoud et Gail Faye, respectively crowned with the Goncourt and Renaudot 2024 prizes, affirming that this choice was “obvious and necessary”, these artists being, according to him, “the tellers of the worst atrocities”.
Among his guests, it is not surprising to also find Sophie Avon, Olivia de Lamberterie, Frédéric Beigbeder or Eric Neuhoff, figures of Mask and the Featheran emblematic France Inter show of which he was the host for 35 years, before giving way to Rebecca Manzonifin 2023. “I have always refrained from talking about my reviewers' books throughout the show. Now that I have the freedom, I plan to take advantage of it! » he confides mischievously.
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The writer and critic will also find his successor at the Fair since, this year again, Brive combines radio and literature with a Masque relocated especially for the occasion and a podcast. Launched in 2023, the latter has won over many visitors to try audio playback – including Rachida DataMinister of Culture. The organizers therefore intend to further develop this format by giving it an entire stand in the Espace des Trois Provinces. The opportunity for festival-goers to participate in interactive workshops, immersive listening sessions, live readings, meetings with podcast authors and even relaxation sessions thanks to ASMR.
Youth and poetry
But the Brive Book Fair is not only diversifying its formats: it is also broadening its audience, with a particular focus on youth for this 42e edition. This is particularly reflected in the choice of the two guests of honor, Emmanuel Lepage, screenwriter and comic book artist at Futuropolis, and Rébecca Dautremer, illustrator of children's albums. The program begins this Friday, with meetings between authors and students from kindergarten to high school, as well as a project to stroll through the streets of the city, where 500 young people will recite poems prepared in class with their teachers. The weekend of workshops, conferences, game tournaments, battles comics, readings and stories will introduce young audiences to literature.
Another highlight of the event, poetry. Highlighted through readings, round tables, poetic recitals, shows and meetings in particular with the poet Jean-Pierre Siméon, within L'Ouvroir, a cultural space a few dozen meters from the fair. It is also in this place thatAlain Breton will be awarded the Grand Prize for poetry from the Académie Mallarmé.
Humanities
Other winners will also be honored during the event such asAbdellah Taia, recipient of the French Language Prize for all of his work, as well as the authors Amélie Antoine, winner of the “Have you read it? » 12-14 year olds for Don't you see anything coming? (Syros youth), and Elise Fontenaillewinner of the “Did you read it? » 15-17 year olds for Missak and Mélinée: a story from the Red Poster (Editions du Rouergue). Ceremony not to be missed: the presentation of the Chadourne prize to Hemley Boom pour The fisherman's dream (Gallimard) and that of the Readers' Prize of the city of Brive, which this year rewarded Marion Brunet pour Our weapons (Albin Michel).
In addition to strengthening the place of poetry and youth, the Brive Book Fair affirms its eclecticism by integrating the human sciences into its programming, particularly with the “Present Time” cycle of meetings established in 2018. This attempts to respond, through literature, to current questions and will focus, this year, on the theme of the rule of law. To address this subject, five meetings spread over the three days of the event, with university professors Sébastien Pimont et Vincent Foray, historians John Chapoutot et Arnaud Teyssier, the former president of the Constitutional Council Jean-Louis Debré and the academician and writer François Sureau. The latter will also participate in interviews organized by the newspaper The Point alongside François Hollande et Rebecca Dautremer.
Finally, the Brive Book Fair will celebrate the 7e art through collective work Barry Lyndon. Stanley Kubrick, published by Simeio Editions – a young house based in the Lot – on October 30, as well as with a special program at the city's cinema. Jan Harlan, the director's brother-in-law, will be present for the occasion.
