Francis Geffard
Organized in Vincennes on the outskirts of Paris, Festival America is the brainchild of Albin Michel’s editor Francis Geffard. His passion for American literature most likely began during adolescence, he has said, because of America’s omnipresence in music, films and later in the novels he read. His fascination extended beyond just American pop-culture: his interest in all things having to do with American Indians led to the creation of a collection called Terre Indienne (Indian Land) at Parisian publishing house Albin Michel. The North American writers were invited to come together not only to present their work, but also to share their culture and discuss today’s North America.
For its seventh edition, the Festival America devoted to literature and culture of the Americas, placed the emphasis on relations between Europe and North America and the Francophone literature from the North American continent.
The invited authors offered book signings during the Book Fair, participated on various panels, conferences and round tables, several photographic exhibitions were displayed, in particular, about the cities of Montreal and New York, symbolizing the meeting of both European and American cultures. Concerts and film screenings in conjunction with the theme of the festival complemented the programming of the Festival.
The writers’ meetings with the public were many and offered also varied readings in their original language, literary cafes grouping three or four writers around a literary theme, or thematic debates on issues of contemporary society. The festival, however, is not restricted to the literature. Film, photography, music and dance were also welcomed: a troupe of dancers and traditional Native American singers hosted the opening night, American films were screened at the cinema in Vincennes and concerts were given in the Magic Mirror (also called “Cabaret Wild”).
During the three days of the festival, a book fair was held on the esplanade of City Hall. Many publishers and specialist bookshops had stands, visited regularly by guest writers for book signings.
Festival America has also developed a young public offering and a Youth Festival: with specific events and a tent devoted to comics and children’s literature.
Margaret Atwood’s Program :
TECHNOLOGIES AND WRITING, Meeting with MARGARET ATWOOD : Thursday, September 11th, 2014 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
MODERN LIFE : Friday, September 12th, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A panel with Margaret Atwood, Tao Lin (US), Éric Plamondon (France/Canada)
MARGARET ATWOOD’S CONVERSATION WITH LAURE ADLER : Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WILL THE INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY CHANGE THE LITERATURE AND READING ? : Saturday, September 13th, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A panel with Margaret Atwood, Tao Lin (US), Titiou Lecoq (France)
The Great Debate : IMAGINE OTHER WORLDS : Sunday, September 14th, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
With Margaret Atwood, Paolo Bacigalupi, Thomas Day (France), Pierre Bordage (France)
MEMORY LIVES HERE AND ELSEWHERE : Sunday, September 14th, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
With Margaret Atwood, Anthony Phelps (Haiti/Canada)
Paolo Bacigalupi’s Program :
THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD GOES : Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A panel with Paolo Bacigalupi, Lisa Moore (Canada), Sebastian Rotella (US)
The Great Debate : WHERE IS AMERICA GOING ? : Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
With Paolo Bacigalupi, Rick Bass (US), Donald Ray Pollock (US), Sebastian Rotella (US)
WRITING FOR YOUTH : Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 10:30 to 12:00
A panel with Paolo Bacigalupi, Sophie Bienvenu (France/Canada), David Bouchard (Canada), Delia Sherman (US), Joel Franz Rosell (Cuba/France).
The Great Debate : IMAGINE OTHER WORLDS : Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
With Margaret Atwood, Paolo Bacigalupi, Thomas Day (France), Pierre Bordage (France)
The Great Debate : DIRTY TIME FOR THE PLANET : Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 14:00 to 15:30
With Paolo Bacigalupi, Rick Bass (US), Nancy Huston (Canada/France), Rita Mestokosho (Canada), Zachary Richard (US)
Delia Sherman‘s Program :
WRITING FOR YOUTH : Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 10:30 to 12:00
A panel with Paolo Bacigalupi, Sophie Bienvenu (France/Canada), David Bouchard (Canada), Delia Sherman (US), Joel Franz Rosell (Cuba/France)
WRITING THE MAGIC OR THE MIRACULOUS : Sunday, September 14th, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
With Delia Sherman, Dominique Batraville (Haiti), Rene Denfeld (US), Alexi Zentner (Canada)
http://www.festival-america.org/
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