Director General of the Bureau International de l’Edition Française (BIEF) for 17 years, he made a major contribution to promoting French publishing abroad, facilitating commercial and cultural exchanges between French publishers and the rest of the world. He left this position in 2018, after consolidating the role of the BIEF as a key player in the international development of French books.
Jean-Guy Boin also held important positions in the book sector before his time at BIEF. In particular, he was financial and commercial director of La Découverte publishing house in 1988. He was also a researcher specializing in book economics and headed the “Book Economics” department at the Ministry of Culture, a position he held since its creation in 1992.
With both economic and sociological expertise, he has contributed to profound reflections on the challenges of publishing in a changing world. His career has also been distinguished by a constant desire to promote intellectual exchanges between cultures, illustrated in particular during his interventions at international trade fairs such as the one in Frankfurt.
He has contributed to major thinking on the economic challenges of publishing, publishing several influential books and articles in various specialist journals.
Throughout his career, he has worked to strengthen the place of French culture on the international scene, devoting himself to the defense of cultural diversity. He has also taught and trained many professionals in the sector, actively participating in the transmission of knowledge, whether at university or during professional workshops.
His discreet but essential work has left a lasting mark on the publishing industry, making him a respected and appreciated figure in this field. Jean-Guy Boin leaves behind a remarkable career, marked by his commitment to culture and his desire to open the horizons of French publishing.
He will be remembered as a fervent defender of books, a tireless promoter of French culture internationally, and an intellectual committed to sharing knowledge.
Photo credits: University of Leuxambourg
