Paris. Shakespeare and Company Literary Festival

The Paris blogs are abuzz with the upcoming Shakespeare and Company Literary Festival (18-20 June). Shakespeare and Company is the Parisian bookshop opened by American George Whitman in 1951, with the blessing of Sylvia Beach.  Since then, it has reigned supreme as the English language bookstore in Paris.  In 2006 George was awarded the “Officier des Arts et Lettres” medal for his contributions to the arts over the last fifty years.  A number of literary greats have made their way through the bookshop including Allen Ginsburg, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and many many more.

Some have said that the literary festival held by Shakespeare and Company is the only real one of its kind in Paris.  Every year has a theme, and every year thus far has had exceptional reviews.  This year’s theme is “Storytelling and Politics” and explores the role of the imagination in the writer’s depiction, transformation and influence on their environment.  Over the course of 3 days writers will consider politics and responsibility in writing and the role of literature in today’s political and cultural climate.

The event is being held in the René Vivani Park, next to Shakespeare and Company, across from the Notre Dame, and will host readings, discussions, and signings.  You can expect a gathering of some of today’s most progressive and international writers, artists, musicians and actors including Martin Amis, Fatima Bhutto, Zena Edwards, Janine de Giovanni, David Hare, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Emma Larkin, and this is just a drop in the pond.

The programme is packed, and if past years can be used as an example, you’ll want to get there early.

If you’re in Paris for the arts, you’ll want to stay at an address suiting the occasion:  White Line’s Hotel des Academies et des Arts.  There you can curl up with a good book while enjoying tea and Pierre Hermé’s macaroons, or let them organize a trip to a local artists studio.  After all, you are on the creative left bank, and should enjoy all that it has to offer.

—

Images Courtesy of The Shakespeare and Company Literary Festival and Matthew Mc Williams.

—

Categories: Paris, Culture

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter