Long relegated to a “genre”—implying inferior—the detective literature has proven in recent years not only a remarkable vitality but also a healthy competition in terms of quality. It is from this concept that Drap envisioned this black and detective literature fair, which will be held on February 2nd and 3rd in the heart of the town with numerous activities and various cultural events.
Nice Premium has invited one of the cornerstones of the fair, Karine Fricero, Director of the Culture Service of the commune of Drap, to introduce this event to us.
Nice Premium: Karin Fricero, will Drap be going noir again on February 2nd and 3rd?
Karin Fricero: Drap will be more noir than ever! We will explore various territories of noir with Caryl Ferey, the patron of this 6th edition; following the tremendous editorial successes of “Zulu” and “Mapuche,” he is giving us the great pleasure of sponsoring this festival. This will be the first time readers from the Alpes Maritimes will have the pleasure of meeting this celebrated writer.
Another great first is the presence of Claude Mesplède, certainly the greatest specialist in crime literature in France. He is recognized by the most famous writers like James Ellroy, who pay homage to him by featuring him in their novels. This encyclopedic author, who wrote the “Dictionary of Crime Literature” in two volumes, will be the guest of honor at this event.
NP: What are the highlights of this 2013 edition?
KF: Firstly, the lineup of authors. Excellent authors such as Karine Giebel, JB Pouy, Marcus Malte, Patrick Raynal, Jean-Hugues Oppel, and very promising authors like Jilali Hamham, Aurélien Molas, or Karim Madani.
This year we are inaugurating a partnership with SNCF, which plays a particular role in the history of noir literature, as our accomplice Jean-Bernard POUY made us discover during a recent meeting at the Village Media Library. Thus, we will have this year, as a preview, the screening of the 2013 selection of short films for the SNCF noir award, with the possibility for the public to vote on-site for their favorite film. This vote will count toward the designation of the 2013 national winner.
NP: I believe I heard about a story written with many hands?
KF: Fabrice Rinaudo, a columnist, proposed to the invited authors to participate in writing a special story that starts backward! You can find the “reverse story” on the website www.salon-polar-drap.fr
NP: Many authors and artists as usual?
KF: As we initiated during our previous editions, all modes of expression will be honored around the noir theme: music, visual arts, cinema, etc. The youth will also be at the forefront, with school initiatives and activities for children. Each mode of expression represents a strong point as it contributes to encounters, exchanges, and discoveries between the public and the participants.
NP: Any other novelties this year?
KF: This year, authors and the public will be live-sketched by Jean-François Ferrandez, artist, and caricaturist, and they can leave with their portraits.
Screening of the film “Cassos” on Friday evening at 8:30 PM in the presence of Philippe Carrese, author, and director of the film. Two very beautiful artistic performances with the show “Mapuche,” a reading acted by actress Alice Varenne and a sound production by musicians Marc Sens and Manusound on texts from Caryl Ferey’s latest novel, Mapuche, and for the second performance, we welcome Philippe Villa, musician, and Marc Le Roy, visual artist, and author who will present “The Year of the Stag,” an original show with a scene, a canvas and music … to be discovered!
And finally, besides the round tables hosted by Corinne Naidet, Claude Mesplède’s Alphabet Book, face-to-face sessions between authors are planned; they will discuss their universe and their books.
NP: What would be your wish for this new edition of Polar in Drap?
KF: Ever more visitors, beating the attendance record of previous years, and experiencing a great moment of sharing and conviviality.
