Belfort and its book fair. 50 editions. 8 million books presented since its creation. More than 200,000 works available in each edition. At the head of all this, Pierre Nétange, founder and guardian of this event born thanks to his network of booksellers. He is also the founder of the Livres 90 association. Through this essentially second-hand book fair, multiple events were born: writing workshops, conferences, exhibitions, signings, dictations… Hundreds of authors passed through, ranging from novelists, to comic book creators, to children’s book authors. Ranging from books costing 30 cents, to books costing several hundred euros.
In 50 editions since 1972, only three interruptions have occurred. And Pierre Nétange remembers each one, still looking bitter. This event is very important to him. Because it allows second-hand books to be reborn, to come back to life every year, to pass from hand to hand. And this, for a very low price. “ The book is called to live many lives. And I hope that it continues to be preserved, despite technologies, and that it becomes an icon. he testifies, the soul poet.
