London Book Fair-goers will know the feeling well, sitting on the floor because the organising company refused to supply adequate seating.
For years, the Paris Book Fair, run by a certain well-known events organisation, stifled French publishing with its “tryanny of the square metre” focus on selling space to anyone with the cash to pay, regardless of the publishing industry’s wider interests.
London Book Fair-goers will know the feeling well, sitting on the floor because the organising company refused to supply adequate seating.
Paris Coup
In the equivalent of a rare industry coup, said company was ousted from Paris a few years back, and publishers took control, renaming the Paris Book Fair the Paris Festival of Books. Since when the event has gone from strength to strength.
Held at the Grand Palais Éphémère, the festival transforms this majestic venue into a literary haven, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in a world of books “in all their states”, per the press release.
Programme Highlights
Festival is the key word here. This is not a rights-obsessed industry love-in like the London Book Fair, but rather a national celebration of books and publishing, something sorely needed in the UK with so many literary events being cancelled.
The 2024 Festival saw over 103,000 book lovers attending and meeting 1,200 authors from more than 350 publishing houses.
On Offer
Exhibitions: Showcasing the latest literary works and artistic collaborations.
Spectacles and Performances: Engaging live performances that bring literature to life.
Workshops and Panels: Interactive sessions with authors, editors, and industry experts.
Meet-and-Greets: Opportunities for readers to meet their favorite authors.
Focus on Interdisciplinary Connections
The 2025 incarnation festival places a special emphasis on the connections between literature and other art forms. Attendees can expect to see exciting collaborations between writers and filmmakers, artists, and musicians, creating a rich, multi-dimensional literary experience.
For coverage of the transition from Fair to Festival, check out this TNPS post from December 2021.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
