From one castle to another, the Book, Art and History Fair continues its journey. In December 2023, the company Tugdual Productions, founded by Enguerran Le Gueut, launched this event at the Château de La Ferté-Beauharnais, in Sologne. With the idea of “make a less elitist book fair and conferences” than what can usually be done, presents Étienne Chilot, artistic director of the event. The philosophy of this literary event, “designed as a space for reflection and meeting”is to democratize culture, in places steeped in history, with conference topics accessible to all and free entry.
Two additional days
After a successful first edition which brought together more than five hundred and fifty visitors – “we didn’t think we would do so much” –, this year the show takes up residence at the Château de Cheverny, from Thursday November 28 to Sunday November 1is December. “For security reasons, we had to have larger rooms,” specifies Étienne Chilot.
The Art and History Book Fair itself will take place on Saturday and Sunday in the castle's orangery. “On the program, numerous conferences, round tables and signature meetings with renowned historians, museum directors, journalists and writers”present the organizers.
Two days of conferences have also been added to the program, Thursday and Friday, in the castle's trophy room, “because we were told there wasn’t enough last year”.
Among the twenty speakers expected are Emmanuel de Waresquiel, “great French historian”, the journalists Didier Rykner and Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach, or even the writer Camille Pascal.
Actress Julie Depardieu as godmother
The godmother of this second edition will be the actress Julie Depardieu, “who loves to tell the story of music”. Sunday morning, accompanied by pianist Hélène Couvert, she will tell The Story of Babar, the Little Elephantwork by Francis Poulenc on a text by Jean de Brunhoff. An event primarily aimed at children and families, which will be the only paying event at the show (1).
Note that the theme of the event will concern love in history “because love has often been at the heart of diplomatic and dynastic relations and has sometimes swayed major political decisions”indicates Étienne Chilot, who adds that“we really need love right now”.
Eager to perpetuate the event and “to always make it accessible to the public”the organizers will decide at the end of this second edition whether the Show will continue to be itinerant or not: “We don't deny ourselves anything, even if we are very comfortable in Cheverny.”
Art and history book fair, at the Château de Cheverny, Thursday November 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 29, from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 30 and Sunday 1is December, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Free entry.
Reservations recommended for conferences on www.slah.fr
(1) Price: €12, upon reservation.
The conference program
Thursday November 28
> 17 h : “Napoleon III and the love of nature” by Christina Egli.
> 18 h : “The castles of the Loire” by Patrick Ponsot.
> 19 h : “Blois, forgotten and endangered monuments” by Nicolas Viault.
Friday November 29
> 13 h 30 : “Le Corbusier and Eileen Gray Salle” by Cyril Brulé.
> 15 h : “Moulding from the original to the copy” by Thomas Lefeuvre.
> 16 h 30 : “André Le Nôtre and French gardens in the Loire Valley” by Pierre Bonnaure.
> 18 h : “Love and hate in the defense of heritage” by Didier Rykner.
Saturday November 30
> 10 h 30 : “The interior cabinets of Marie-Antoinette” by Hélène Delalex.
> 12 h : “The affair of the Queen’s necklace” by Camille Pascal.
> 14 h : “Jeanne du Barry” by Emmanuel de Waresquiel.
> 15 h 30 : “Love stories end badly” by Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach.
Sunday 1is December
> 11 h : “The story of Babar” by Julie Depardieu and pianist Hélène Couvert (children’s matinee).
> 12 h : “Art and desire in Italy in the 16e century” by Philippe Costamagna.
> 14 h : “Eleanor of Aquitaine and courtly love” by Françoise Deville.
> 15 h 30 : “The Loves of Napoleon” by David Chanteranne.
