Under a scorching heat, Christian Estrosi inaugurated the 19th edition of the Nice Book Festival, which you can follow on the City of Nice Associations Portal.
The first day of the Book Festival took place yesterday, marked by a key moment during the presentation of the โNice Baie des Angesโ prize in a well-filled Pierre Gautier square.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the festivities, deputy mayor Christian Estrosi, deputy president of the General Council Eric Ciotti, honorary president of the festival Edgar Morin, and the artistic director and jury president, Franz-Olivier Giesbert awarded the prize to Sylvain Tesson for his book โSโabandonner ร vivreโ (Gallimard edition). The young man thus follows Valรฉrie Tong Cuong, who had won with โLโatelier des miraclesโ (JC Lattรจs edition).
During his inaugural speech, Christian Estrosi particularly emphasized that his city must โbe an example in the dissemination of books and literature, in the quality of its libraries, and in the will to fight against illiteracy.โ
He also took the opportunity to announce the upcoming implementation of a new concept in the Azurean capital. After the blue chairs on the Promenade des Anglais, the blue bikes, and the blue cars, Nice will now have its blue cabins. These โsmall book lending housesโ will be set up along the beaches, at Carras, Gambetta, and also at the Quai des Etats-Unis.
The audience present at Pierre Gautier square greeted this news with warm applause.
The festival thus begins under the best auspices. Now let the celebration begin, with a program featuring numerous activities such as signings, debates, meetings with authors, animations, and readings.