The “Printemps des Poètes” is officially launched today and will continue until March 28. Three weeks of poetry in different locations of the Azurean city. Here is its complete program.
– Louis Nucéra Library – BMVR
Today (4 PM): Tuesday Cinema
Screening of films from the BMVR collection focused on Francophone poetry
Saturday, March 9 (3 PM): On the Bank – Musical and visual journey through the voices of Francophone poets
By Benoît G’sell, singing, reading, guitar / Laurent Pocquet, double bass / Antoine Bourgeau, percussion, guitar, reading / Thomas Cotenet, videographer.
As part of the Printemps des Poètes that Nice dedicates to the voices of the Francophonie. This event blends poetry by Francophone authors, music composition, participants, and images…
Wednesday, March 13 (4 PM): 7 Pearls of La Francophonie – Musical stories by Théâtre de l’Eau Vive (show for young audiences)
Francophonie is also, and above all, millions of people across multiple regions of the globe who express their own uniqueness and universal feelings through this language. Fabienne Colson and David Bancel, actors from Théâtre de l’Eau Vive, accompanied by the percussion of Jonathan Kibouni, present to young audiences stories
from Kabylie, Lebanon, Haiti, Mali, Senegal, Quebec, and Indochina.
Friday, March 15 (5 PM): Language of Exile – Language of the Other Shore
Meeting with Salah Al Hamdani.
He is a poet and theater figure of Iraqi origin born in Baghdad in 1951. A fierce opponent to Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, he has known imprisonment. Exiled for more
than 30 years in France, actor, director, he authored several novels, poems, short stories, written sometimes in Arabic, sometimes in French like “Le Doute,” “Le Cimetière des Oiseaux,” or “Le Retour à Bagdad.”
As part of the Printemps des Poètes dedicated to the voices of the Francophonie, it seemed
interesting to invite this bilingual author who will read some selected poems here and discuss,
in exchange format, issues arising from this bilingualism.
Saturday, March 16 (3 PM): Abdelattif Laâbi, The Pride of Being a Man
Conference-show by Jacques Alessandra and Félix Chaud with participation from Louis Isnardy.
This event aims to unveil the work of Moroccan poet and writer in the French language, Abdellatif Laâbi born in Fez in 1942, and traces the journey of an author who, since “Le Règne de barbarie” and the revue “Souffles” in the 60s, has relentlessly considered literary creation as a lever of resistance against the arbitrariness of men and gods.
Awarded by the Académie Goncourt in 2009, recipient of the Grand Prize of Francophonie by the French Academy in 2011, Laâbi’s works bear witness to a life adventure of his time and against his time, always fueled by the same uncompromising humanism and the will to believe in the awakening of universal awareness.
To illustrate the strong moments of such a work, Jacques Alessandra, author of three books on the poet, and Félix Chabaud, actor and storyteller, have imagined a spectacle halfway between a conference and theater.
Amped up by the presence of Occitan composer Louis Isnardy, the performance opens to a broad audience and immediate sharing. It highlights the unique voice of a man who suffers, loves, and fights, and through him, the general voice of all men who suffer, love, and fight.
Tuesday, March 19 (4 PM): Reading Circle dedicated to Francophone poetry
The librarians offer their selections by reading excerpts
Wednesday, March 20 (4 PM): Award Ceremony for the Forum of Poetry Winners in the Auditorium
Poetry contest inviting the people of Nice to express themselves in poetry around the theme: “All the Voices of Francophonie.” This ceremony will take place in the presence of Jacques Vidal, Municipal Councilor, Delegate for Literature, the fight against illiteracy, Libraries, and Cinema. The texts of the winners will be read by the actor, Pierre Blain.
Thursday, March 21 (5 PM): “La Petite Sœur”: A Panorama of Francophone Poetry from Belgium
Conference by Gérard Purnelle
The focus will be on Belgian poetry, often unknown to the French. Gérald Purnelle, a researcher and teacher at the University of Liège, specializes in,
among other things, Belgian Francophone poetry that he teaches. He is also co-director of a
heritage collection dedicated to the reissue of Belgian poets.
“Belgium, Land of Poets”: Belgium has the reputation of having the most poets per square meter. What are, since Symbolism until today, the characteristics and defining lines of Francophone poetry from Belgium? How has it always been positioned in relation to French poetry? What is its history? Through its opposing currents (between classicism and surrealism), but also its tendencies towards assimilation and syncretism, or conversely its specificities, the richness of a poetry to be discovered is explored. The conference will be illustrated with numerous texts.
Friday, March 22 (5 PM): Wise or Wild: What Does Belgian Poetry Do with Language?
Conference by Gérard Purnelle
Split between post-surrealism and classicism, Belgian Francophone poetry presents a complex and contrasted relationship with language. This will involve exploring a whole fascinating diversity, from “wild Belgium” to classic or philosophical poetry: linguistic insecurity, purism, and hyper-correction, invention of languages and words, richness of technical lexicons, precious, trivial, or transgressive ones, turning syntax, critique of language, and thought. The language has always been a constant object of reflection and work for Belgian poets.
Saturday, March 23 (3 PM): Géo Norge
Musical reading by the BAL Company. Élise Clary, Élodie Tampon-Lajarriette, Thierry Vincent, actors accompanied by a musician
The BAL Company will bring to life the voice of a Belgian poet, Géo Norge, who resided for a long time in our region. Norge is the pen name of Georges Moginné born in Brussels in 1898. He published his first poetry collection in 1923. His poetry combines concrete and metaphysical, sensuality and cruelty, truth and incredulity, earthly cravings and thirst for the infinite. An unclassifiable poet, this great “Astonished” of existing continuously marvels: how can one be human?
After the war, he settled in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. He passed away in Mougins in 1990. We owe him, among other reflections, “Onions don’t produce pearls like oysters do. We recently spoke to an old onion who explained: Let others reign through ornamentation, we, the onions, want to be felt.” And since there is no king without a fool, the astounding poetry will be exploded by some interventions by the contemporary Belgian mischief-maker Jean-Pierre Verheggen.
A “Small Literary Games” workshop is organized the same day. Workshop intended for children aged 7 to 12. As part of the 2013 French Language Week program on the theme “Tell Me Ten Words Sown Far Away.”
Saturday, March 28 (5 PM): About the Work of Amélie Nothomb
Conference by Marlène Lebrun
Amélie Nothomb is a true literary phenomenon, the most widely read Francophone author currently. A vast audience eagerly awaits the release of her next novel. What is the reason for this success? By bringing to life complex, neurotic, or oddball characters, her work cannot leave readers indifferent. Like the monomaniacal doubles her fictions personify, one loves or hates them. A journey through 22 novels by this prolific Belgian will illuminate how the work is marked by recurring motifs – the double, hunger, desire, love – through a demanding yet clear writing that continuously pursues an ever-renewed identity quest.
– Mediterranean University Center
Tuesday, March 12 (4 PM): Meeting Pierre Perret, a Popular Academician
A renowned singer and author, Pierre Perret shines with a varied repertoire composed by turns of children’s songs, comical, bawdy, light or engaged ones that navigate between humor and tenderness. Alongside his music career, he has published numerous works on the French language.
Thursday, March 14 (7 PM): Kristo Nupumby sings Brassens in Africa
This artist born in the tropical forest embodies Africa of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. On stage, Kristo Nupumby gives his music traditional African accents, very finely rhythm-shaded with acoustic instruments (voice, guitar, bottle, silverware, and tree trunk).
Tuesday, March 26 (6 PM): The Greek Child
With Vassilis Alexakis, novelist and Geneviève Winter, Vice-President of the Alliance Française of Nice. The Greek Francophone novelist, celebrated for “La Langue Maternelle” in 1995, revisits a life of fruitful illusions while publishing this new novel.
– Maison des Associations Nice-Centre
Saturday, March 9 (3 PM-6 PM): Poetry Writing Workshop on the Theme “The Joy of Living”
Reading of poems – Building a word reservoir based on instructions – Different types of poetry – Choosing a poetry style – Spontaneous writing of the poem or poetry – Reading some poems.
Open to all and free entry. Reservation recommended at 06 16 55 60 01 or plumalire@free.fr
– Maison des Associations Garibaldi
From 9 to 24: Photographic Exhibition Variation on the Letter A
The association Les Semenciers Photographes. Each photographer will present an image whose title begins with the letter A. Open to all and free entry
Friday, March 15 (7 PM-9 PM): Adult Poetry Writing Workshop
The association “Une Petite Voix m’a dit” by Sandrine Montin. Free entry – limited seats. Reservation recommended: 04 97 13 41 71
Friday, March 22 (7:30 PM-9:30 PM): Poetic and Musical Evening
The Hommage à la Chanson Française association and the association les Spectacles d’Ellora
First part: “Feminine Plural” Duo Naïs Daguet (singing and guitar) and Magali Barnoin (piano). With sensitivity and humor, Naïs and Magali revisit in their own way, the great French artists and
poets (Brassens, Aragon, Vian, Ferré, Hugo, Brel, Richepin, Queneau, Prévert…)
Second part: songs/poetries created by Marie-Josée Cavanago, songwriter.
Open to all and free entry. Reservation possible at 04 97 13 41 71
– Maisons des Associations Nice-Est Saint-Roch
Saturday, March 16 (3 PM-5 PM): Poetry Writing and Reading Workshop
Writing workshop on the theme “The Joy of Living”. Reading of poems – Building a word reservoir based on instructions – Different types of poetry – Choosing a poetry style – Spontaneous writing of the poem or poetry – Reading some poems.
Open to all and free entry. Reservation recommended at 06 16 55 60 01 or plumalire@free.fr
From March 18 to 31: Children’s Poetry Exhibition
Wednesday, March 20: Children’s Reading and Spectacle
2 PM: Children’s show “On the Wings of the Wind”. Tales, interpreted by Claudia Mad’moiZèle
(collective La Hulotte) – 45min – from age 5.
2:45 PM: Audience snack
3:15 PM: Reading of the poems from the writing workshops. “Sound Fantasies”, imagined by Olivia Blanquet, electro-acoustic engineer. Children from the NOUS association and the Children of the Chemins de Fer de Provence will read their poems as well as the school children from the poetry writing workshops.
