While we often deplore the oblivion of Anatole France, the two days (Saturday October 12 and Sunday October 13, 2024) dedicated to the centenary of his death brought crowds to Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, where the writer lived from 1914 to 1924. A craze welcomed by the city’s cultural department which, with the Hommes et Patrimoine association, had planned several meetings to honor the writer. “We are proud to see such a gathering around an author and his work with whom everyone can find themselves today”, said Bruno Lavillatte, deputy for culture.
More than 250 people came to the four tours commented by Michel Audemont of the gardens of the former home of Anatole France, “La Bcalerie”. At the Salons Ronsard, hundreds of visitors attended the “Remembering Anatole” exhibition and 160 spectators attended the musical talk In Epicure’s garden, around the life and work of Anatole France. At L’Escale, the public was seduced by the silent film Crainquebilledating from 1922 and by the talent of Karol Beffa, piano accompanist.
Back a hundred years later
The conference “One hundred years later (1924-2024), the return of Anatole France? » given by Guillaume Métayer, research director at the CNRS, and Antoine Pin, author of a book on the writer, recalled how during his lifetime this Nobel Prize winner in 1921 was considered a moral and literary authority of the first order , recognized and appreciated by great literary figures and personalities. He also received a national funeral. Guillaume Métayer recalled Anatole France’s commitment to numerous social and political causes. The speakers were delighted to see Anatole France reconsidered today. On the occasion of the centenary of the anniversary of his death, conferences on the writer took place in particular at the Sorbonne and at the Historical Library of the City of Paris.
