He naturally had to participate in the event: crowned with two prizes, the Femina and the novel prize of the French Academy, the adopted Toulonnais Miguel Bonnefoy, will take part in the 2024 Book Festival on the 22nd, 23rd and November 24, Place d’Armes, in Toulon.
Three days of meetings, eighteen participating bookstores, three second-hand booksellers, no less than 450 authors present for an expected attendance of more than 40,000 visitors in 72 hours: the 27th edition of the Var Book Festival, organized by the Var Department , summons all lovers of words and literature in all its forms. This, around the theme, oh so legitimate in these turbulent times, of freedom. A common thread linked to the 80 years of liberation but also, “a theme that sparked the first Book Festival 27 years ago”underlined Jean-Louis Masson, president of the Var Department, during the press conference presenting the event (1).
Hyérois Julien Sandrel guest of honor
We already knew that Bernard Minier was the honorary president of this 2024 edition. It will also be placed under the seal of four “major guest” authors, explained Véronique Lenoir, vice-president of the Department in charge of cultural policy. We thus find the Niçoise Véronique Olmi, she who often gives voice to the invisible and forgotten in history. In her latest novel “The Courage of the Innocents” (Ed. Albin Michel), she takes us in the wake of Ben, a young anti-globalization activist who crosses France to save his half-brother, 13 years his junior, whom he does not hasn’t been seen since their mother died. An adventure that will take him to Ukraine.
Dorothée Olliéric is a “Mom goes to war” (Ed. Rocher). She will come to share this daily life, with other fellow journalists, during one of the round tables organized during the show.
Another exceptional guest, Yann Queffélec and his “Black Medusa” (Calmann-Lévy), who will be the subject of one of the major interviews of the Book Festival.
Finally, the stage location because a native of Hyères, Julien Sandrel, whose “La Chambre des Merveilles” was adapted for the cinema and whose latest novel “Much Love and Some Ashes” (Calmann-Lévy) retraces the adventure of five strangers who should never have met but who received the same invitation for a treasure hunt across California.
Highlights around Marcel Pagnol
We already knew that this 27th Var Book Festival would be marked by a tribute to Marcel Pagnol, this is coming to fruition. “Marcel Pagnol, these are simple values, it is freedom, the family bond, it is all this Provençal life which is dear to each of us. His work is popular and profoundly human”summed up Véronique Lenoir.
Readers’ Awards on Friday
The event will open its doors on Friday morning with a time dedicated to schoolchildren and more particularly to middle school students. At 3 p.m., the Var readers’ awards will be presented in the general literature, children’s and comics categories. Three prices for which “this year we recorded some 6,000 votes, or 500 more votes than last year, proof of the enthusiasm for this literary prize”detailed Véronique Lenoir. It must be said that the meeting had been set up, in this sense, in 90 media libraries in the department. Are in the running, in the general literature category, Claire Deya and “A world to remake” (Ed. de l’Observatoire), “L’Enfant dans le taxi” by Sylvain Prudhomme (Ed. de Minuit), “Sauvage” by Julia Kerninon (Ed. of the Iconoclast). In the youth category “Le Silence de Rouge” by Mathieu Pierloot and Giulia Vetri (Ed. Versant Sud), “Le Concert de montagne” by Emmanuelle Trédez and Delphine Jacquot (Ed. Didier Jeunesse), “Half and Half” by Henri Meunier and Nathalie Choux (Ed. du Rouergue).
In comics, finally, are in the running “La Quête” by Frédéric Maupomé and Wauter Mannaert (Ed. Le Lombard), “Le Grand Migrateur” by Augustin Lebon and Louise Joor (Ed. Rue de Sèvres), “Hana et Taru , the madness of the forest”, by Léo Schilling and Motteux (Ed. Dargaud).
The Navy has been a partner since the beginning
Another prize awarded Friday afternoon, the Encre Marine prize. “It is very important for the Navy to be present, as has been the case since the first edition”recalled Commander Julie Doumas, regional communications officer representing the maritime prefect. Created in 1991 by the maritime prefect, also commander of the Mediterranean maritime zone and district, this prize rewards a work highlighting themes linked to the sea. Five novels are in the running: “La Promesse du broad” by Arnaud by La Grange (Gallimard), “Navigating the paths of the wind” by Olivier Le Carrer (Actes Sud), “Aux vents des mers australes” by Katell Faria (Stock), “After the storm” by Gonzague Aizier (Ura) and “Léonie B” by Sébastien Spitzer (Albin Michel).
Verdict Friday November 22.
1. The press conference took place last Thursday at the Charlemagne manga bookstore, in the presence of Josée Massi, mayor of Toulon.
Know+
Var Book Festival on November 22, 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Place d’Armes in Toulon. Free.
