Philippe Besson and Marie Pavlenko, godfather and godmother
Philippe Besson, author, playwright and screenwriter, will be the patron of this edition. He has just published One summer evening (Julliard editions), a novel inspired by a true story. Among his many works, we find His Brother et Stop with your liesthe latter having left its mark on his readership. Besson has been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Goncourt and Médicis prizes for A Boy from Italy.
Marie Pavlenko, a novelist known for her works for young adults, will be the festival’s patron. She is the author of Rita, I am your sun and the famous Such a small birdwhich won him the Babelio Young Adult Prize. His latest novel, Cross the mountains and come and be born herecontinues to reach a wide audience.
Five places to discover
The Book Festival of Saint-Etienne is the perfect opportunity to explore the city center of Saint-Étienne, with its many marquees. Here are the main places not to be missed:
• Town Hall Square : The Grande librairie will host the Manufacture of knowledgea space dedicated to debates and activities (comic book battles, shows, illustrated showcases, etc.).
• Place Jean-Jaurès : The Magic Mirrors will be installed, accompanied by the booksellers’ village.
• Place Dorian : The Publishers’ Village will offer a rich diversity of publishing houses.
• Place Chavanelle : The vast youth marquee will once again be there, with its many activities.
• Tarentaize district : New for 2024, this district is becoming a must-see place. The grand opening evening will take place at The Cometthe media library will exhibit the works of Benjamin Chaud, and the cinematheque will offer a day dedicated to poetry for youth and young adults.
Pierre Gagnaire, guest of honor
The Saint-Étienne Book Festival will welcome the famous multi-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire. Originally from the Loire, he will come to present his new work, A life in the kitchenwhere he shares his personal and professional journey in the world of French gastronomy.
Fantasy and Manga in the spotlight
The genres of Fantasy and Manga will occupy a special place this year. A stand dedicated to French and European mangakas will allow new talents to be discovered. At the same time, an exhibition dedicated to the label Drakoo and a One-hour masterclass on manga will delight fans of the genre.
A 100% Saint-Etienne poster
The illustrator from Saint-Etienne Éric Bourgierauthor of the series Servitudecreated the visual for the 2024 edition. This poster, bright and soothing, is a true ode to reading, perfect for illustrating the spirit of the Book Festival.
For more information, visit fetedulivre.saint-etienne.fr.
The Saint-Étienne International Fair is this year putting the spotlight on Japan, from September 20 to 30 at the Parc des Expositions. with a celebration of its culture, history and gastronomy. 42info is offering you the chance to win invitations that will give you privileged access to the Fair!
She lit up the ceremony of the Paris Paralympic Games last Sunday by performing the famous song “Vivre pour le meilleur”, marking a moving performance that touched millions of viewers. But the good news doesn’t stop there! In 2025, Santa, an artist on the rise, will come to Saint-Étienne for an exceptional evening. This highly anticipated concert will take place on December 9, 2025 at the Zénith in Saint-Étienne.
The Saint-Étienne Fair is back for its 75th edition, a must-see event that embodies the city’s festive and economic spirit. Last year, the fair welcomed nearly 67,000 visitors, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this popular event is still anchored in the hearts of the people of Saint-Étienne, the effect of the health crisis continues to be felt, sometimes limiting the attendance at this type of large-scale event in France.
The brand new café-théâtre Les Trois Ducs is offering an exceptional Comedy Club on Tuesday, September 17. The principle is simple: 4 comedians, carefully selected, from all over France, offer you 1 hour of pure laughter. On the program: Yacine Rharbaoui, Soso La Barbe, Wassim El Fath and Malik Mike!
