For this 2024 edition, 120 writers, mainly local, will present their works along the wooded paths of the Lons forest. For the founders, this open-air event is an opportunity to break down the barriers of literature.
Making literature accessible
“The goal is to create a place to meet authors in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This is not the Versailles Book Fair, the authors are accessible and we don’t get worked up” explains François Maurice, himself the author of several historical works. And in fact, everything in the organization tends to make this fair a popular moment where culture is not the preserve of a social elite.
This democratization of literature begins with the place itself. “In the salons, the more elitism is evident, the more part of the public becomes reserved. In the woods, everyone is treated the same,” explains the founder. Then, many activities are planned, including writing workshops where everyone can slip into the pen of an author. “The idea is that participants can perhaps discover a talent or a passion for writing. We don’t just want to make people want to read, but show that writing is not so inaccessible,” insists the Lonsois.
For the selection of the jury members, who will award the 2024 Grand Prix, there is no question of changing course. A third of them are readers and they do not need to justify themselves, unlike many literary competitions. “I do not ask to intellectualize their choices because that can be intimidating. The only criterion is emotion,” continues François Maurice.
Workshops are planned for young and old.
Archives/Pascal Denis
Breaking the glass ceiling
It is in this same spirit that the authors invited to the fair have not necessarily been published by publishing houses and that a certain number have self-published. “We know that many great writers have been rejected by publishing houses before managing to be published. Publishing houses will be able to discover self-published gems at the fair,” enthuses the organizer.
Its “open” editorial line attracts more and more authors every year, more and more of whom set up their table under the trees. “It’s a change from the noisy train station halls with incessant hubbub. Here, even if the authors have a sleepless day, they will have a good day thanks to the nice setting.”
A craze that has allowed the event to double its budget this year, used primarily for communication. On the other hand, there is no question of betraying its DNA by paying for big headliners. The fair primarily invites personalities from the region and renews a third of the participants each year so that even the faithful of the Literary Ba(l)lade can find what they are looking for.
Among the newcomers, we will find the Bordeaux publishing house Memoring, specialized in historical works, and represented by eight authors. Among the regulars, we will find Céline Servat, winner of the Grand Prix 2023 with her novel “Alambre”.
A program between literary meetings and entertainment
The fair opens its doors between 10 am and 6 pm. During the day, many activities and meetings are planned. Carole Barreau, a specialist in life therapy, will hold a conference at 10:30 am on nature and literature. She will offer introductions to sylvotherapy at 2 pm and 4 pm.
Activities are also on the program. This year’s theme is “Nature”, drawing and painting workshops on the subject are organized throughout the day. Children will have the opportunity to make their bookmarks at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or their own pen from wood at 10:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Four writing workshops, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, are also scheduled. Finally, a pianist will stroll with his traveling instrument between the different stands.
In case of rain, the festival will be cancelled and only the conference at the media library will be maintained. The awards ceremony will also take place there.
