“Welcome to us, to our little house. » On the outskirts of the crypt of Saint-Girons in Hagetmau, facing a garden of rose bushes, the editions of the Crypte have established their quarter between the walls of the Jean-Lalaude House of Poetry, named after one of its founders.
The idea of the Crypt germinated in the minds of four people: Jean Lalaude, a normal school teacher, passionate about theater, creator of the Amicale laïque just opposite; Marcel Saint-Martin, painter and poet from Montfort-en-Chalosse; Marie-Louise Haumont, Belgian novelist, published by Gallimard and awarded the Fémina prize; Pierre Leghers, a great poet, editor and resistance fighter. “One evening, they came to Hagetmau and they wanted to create a poetry prize to publish a young poet who had never been published. It was in 1984. That’s how the Crypt Prize was born,” says Christian Marsan, editor at the publishing house.
In 1986, during the publication of his collection “Le Vivant effaré”, he met Editions de la Crypte. And especially its creators. “They really changed my life,” smiles Christian Marsan.
It was in 2012 that this enthusiast took over from his mentors. “In 2011, 2012, these four people died. That’s when I wanted to take over and turn it into a professional publishing house. » Christian is supported in his work by Maxence and Mathilde, both employees. Around fifteen volunteers help with this little adventure.
Since then, the small structure has continued to develop and become known. “We have four collections today at the Crypt,” he rejoices. The editions publish around ten books of contemporary poetry, French or foreign, per year. Their collection includes nearly 200 works, including around fifty previously belonging to Editions l’Arachnoide.
“Today, when the Crypt arrives somewhere, it is known”
Every year, they go to 12 literary fairs. “Today, when the Crypt arrives somewhere, it’s known. For example, at the Poetry Market, which is held in June in Paris, initially, we only had a very small table in a corner, now we have a whole stand. »
Bringing poetry to life in the Landes
But the first step was to find premises. “I wanted a space where we celebrate and experience poetry. » With the support of the town hall, the small troupe of poets was able to settle in this place. A loan granted after years of discussions.
Today, the Jean-Lalaude Poetry House is a real place of life. This is where the Crypt teams work on a daily basis. And occasionally welcome authors in residence. Currently, the poet Jean-Baptiste Cabaud is taking advantage of this warm setting and the Landes landscapes for a two-month residency.
The small team makes a point of bringing the region to life. And increase actions in this direction. Their model maker is in Mont-de-Marsan, their printer in Orthez. A truly political choice for Christian Marsan. “We make sure to bring life to the place where we live. »
Transmit poetry
“We carry poetry everywhere,” proclaims Christian Marsan. Committed to artistic and cultural education, just as Jean Lalaude was, the Crypte is committed to young people in the sector. Around Hagetmau, nearly 1,000 students, from kindergarten to high school, work with the editions on projects carried out over several weeks.
