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The 39th edition of the Salon Livre Paris, the largest literary event in France, will take place from Friday 15 to Monday 18 March 2019, Porte de Versailles. A few weeks before the European elections, it is not a country that is being honored, but for the first time a continent, Europe.
It's hard to make your way through the dense crowd. The Paris Book Fair, held from Friday 15 to Monday, March 18, 2019, Porte de Versailles, is the meeting place for lovers of literature.
And as the flags of the European Union suggest, this 39th edition is different from the previous ones, making an exception to the tradition of honoring a guest country. This year, it is a continent, Europe, which is put forward.
More than 3,000 authors expected
A few weeks before the European elections, on May 26, this choice is a way for the fair to celebrate the cultural heritage of the European continent. More than 3,000 authors are expected until Monday, including the Italian Erri de Luca, the Spaniard Javier Cercas, and the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk.
At the end of the show, a large area of the Gilbert Joseph bookstore presents works published throughout the Old Continent. " Every year, we partner with the show management to organize the stand linked to the guest country. This year, the theme is the European authors. The logic is to discover literatures, classics and novelties, less disseminated than others, "says Philippe Bazire, bookseller.
Nearby is the stand of Romania, which took for six months the presidency of the Council of the European Union, January 1. The theme: Romania in the land of Europe. " There are Romanians who contribute to the cultural wealth of Europe and France. Some Romanian writers also write directly in French, make a career in France and even elsewhere in Europe. It is very important for us to show that they are European authors, "says Doina Marian, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute.
Doina Marian Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute 15/03/2019 - by David Pauget Listen
A place of debate on Europe
Meetings are planned during these four days to discover to the French public writers from across the continent, and all genres: essays, novels, comics, children's books, crime novels, etc.
Commissioner @pierremoscovici's visit to @Salondulivre 📚
"Europe 🇪🇺 needs books to make us understand that what unites us is stronger than it separates us" 🤝 # LivreParis2019 pic.twitter.com/cl9EvArrGM
The "Europe scene" offers international programming with writers, thinkers and politicians, debating the cultural, social and political identity of the continent. It is also the place to discover less known European literatures, like that of Kosovo.
A few weeks before the European elections, several debates will take place, such as "European democracies under the threat of populism", or "the migrant crisis: the fracture of Europe".
Raise awareness about the challenges of the European elections
The European Parliament also has its booth alongside the "Europe scene" to raise awareness of the EU's actions for culture and its impact on the lives of Europeans. " We need to sensitize them to show them, at this troubled time, what are the stakes of these elections and why they should not be forgotten. We are in a crucial period, Brexit is currently in negotiation. It is time to mobilize, "says Matthieu Blondeau, administrator at the European Parliament's office in France.
Matthieu Blondeau Administrator at the Office of the European Parliament in France 15/03/2019 - by David Pauget Listen
The international opening at the Salon Livre Paris is not limited to Europe, even if, this year, the Pavilion des Lettres d'Afrique is absent. More than 160,000 visitors are expected for this 39th edition.