In two editions, the “Courants d’ère” Book Festival has established itself as a benchmark for all literature and tall ship enthusiasts. At the dawn of summer and by the Mediterranean Sea, writers, sailors, scientists, and artists, some of the most prominent, gather in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat to share with the general public a common passion, the sea, in all its expressive diversity: literature, of course, but also sailing, music, ecology, visual arts…
Around beautiful books and splendid ships, this festival has thus become a grand festival of the sea where the public can participate freely on land and on water!
### A literary festival:
A plethora of prestigious and passionate authors
Readings, signings, debates, meetings…
Each year, Courants d’Ere unites authors who share the same passion, the sea, the source of their inspiration, the theater of their romantic epics, or even the subject of their research. Through the pages, each one perpetuates, as in the time of Homer, an age-old tradition, that of the literary odyssey of sea books. During a weekend, on the quays of the port of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, writers engage in reading, signing, and meeting sessions with the public.
Boats have always opened the routes of adventure to men. Onboard, people confronted fear and wonder, with hope of arriving somewhere and telling the story. Maritime novels, travel stories, scientific observations, each in its own way has dreamed of “its” sea. This festival is a unique opportunity to meet these authors, to hear them talk about their works, and to dive into their stories.
For the 2008 edition, the festival has already sent boarding passes to:
Emmelene Landon, Pol Corvez, Catherine Chabaud, Patrick Moreau, Guy Jacques, Bruno Voituriez, Nathalie Couilloud, Laurent Ballesta, Sophie Braganti, JAL, Hervé Poudat, Charles Paolini, Yves Paccalet… and Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace, President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society…
### The majestic tall ships:
Parades, regattas, sea outings, readings, and concerts aboard
It has now become a tradition, on the occasion of the Courants d’Ere festival, exceptional boats gather in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. Some of them, very old, have come down to us thanks to a few passionate individuals. The peninsula, in its marine setting, displays its grandeur to welcome these characterful hulls, along with other more modern boats. Along the coast path, on the beaches, and at the port, the public admires the ballet of their majestic movements, through water and air. This fleet then forms the most beautiful of navies. Throughout the weekend, some of these splendid ships even welcome spectators on board, and during the warm hours, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, readings are organized on the deck. Selected pieces of literature, poetry, and children’s stories then take the audience on a grand journey through the pages. Finally, musicians join the crew to hoist the blue note and other world music.
A 3rd edition dedicated to Maritime Ecology
Workshops, conferences, exhibitions, readings, meetings
The Festival Courants d’Ere has become on the shores of the big blue, a hub of exchanges, encounters, and reflections between professionals and enthusiasts. It is therefore quite naturally that it has chosen to raise public awareness about the protection of the marine environment. How to preserve the balance between man and his natural maritime environment while protecting it? This is the central question that will bring together oceanographers, biologists, researchers, teachers, and members of associations committed to preserving and informing about the marine environment… They will provide accounts of the state of the sea to raise awareness among adults and children during workshops, round tables, conferences, and exhibitions… Inquisitive minds and enthusiasts will in turn be able to question themselves, find answers to their questions, and decide to act to preserve biodiversity and maritime cultures.
Eminent experts are invited to debate maritime ecology, in the presence of Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace, President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, considered a pirate by some, a hero by others, a committed expert and activist, recognized worldwide, for preserving marine life, along with Yves Paccalet, Laurent Ballesta, Guy Jacques…
Several associations and institutions engaged daily in information and research will also be represented: The Oceanographic Observatory of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, SOS Grand Bleu, the Association for Saving Villefranche’s Maritime Heritage, the Marine World Discovery Center, Dans le Bleu, and the Nicolas Hulot Foundation for Nature and Man, with the ship Fleur de Lampaul…
As a prelude to this Festival, Friday, June 13, is dedicated to the children of the schools of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Eze, La Turbie, Cap d’Ail, and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. As every year, it will be an unforgettable day of discoveries and dialogue: Scientific workshops and visits, sea outings, meetings with guest authors and illustrators…
A grand Festival of the Sea:
Readings, concerts, exhibitions, antiques, strolls, and “Courants d’ère plate”
Around literature and old boats, the Courants d’Ere Festival has become a grand festival of the sea for young and old. Because the passion for the sea is expressed in a thousand ways, the festival gives free rein to its expression by offering a program of free activities to all its visitors: readings, concerts, paintings, photography exhibitions, boat visits and rides, guided walks to discover shells, workshops on stamps and seamanship…
Finally, on Saturday evening, a “Courants d’ère plate” will be offered on the port, under the stars, to extend the celebration by the water until the end of the night. This “feast of the sea” will thus bring together, in the typical conviviality of seafaring people, the prestigious guests of the festival, the public, and musical groups.
The Courants d’Ere Festival is organized by the SIVOM of Villefranche-sur-Mer, an intercommunal public institution, and its Intercommunal Media Library, in association with the bookstore le Panorama du Livre, the municipality of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and numerous quality service providers. This network ensures a serious approach at every level of the organization, especially in terms of literary choices and cultural programming.
