The scorching heat did not prevent a crowd of scholars, reading enthusiasts, or simply the curious, from visiting the stalls of writers and other authors on the occasion of the inauguration of the 20th edition of the Book Festival, presided over by Franรงoise Chandernagor of the Acadรฉmie Goncourt.
It is estimated that 50,000 visitors will, over three days, wander between Gautier Square and the Palace of Justice in search of the work and presence of one of the 200 writers who will be there until Sunday.
The inaugural day could only begin with the awarding of the Baie des Anges prize to the winner of the 2015 edition. The jury, chaired by the Festival’s artistic director, Franz-Olivier Giesbert, chose Jรฉrรดme Garcin’s novel, “Le voyant.”
About thirty debates, meetings, and activities will also punctuate the Festival.
Among them, the “version latine” contest, which aims to be a slight provocation against the college reform project that would eliminate the study of this language (in fact, it’s not quite true, but how could the mayor of Nice miss the opportunity for political controversy against the Minister of National Education?). A meeting is scheduled today for lovers of “latinorum” at the Nice Opera at 11 a.m.
A tribute will also be paid to Louis Nucรฉra, an emblematic figure of Nice’s literary heritage, who passed away 15 years ago. It will take place at the Francis Gag municipal theater at 6:30 p.m., with a round table and readings of his work by actor Christophe Malavoy.
Nice’s traditions will also have their moment of fame thanks to a round table at the Joseph Marro Space at 3 p.m., where there will be a debate on whether “everything can be said and written in Niรงois.” For the record, the Faculty of Letters at the University of Nice has a department of regional language and culture, and it is an option chosen by more than 300 students for the Baccalaureate. That says it all…
