The powers that be at Paris City Hall have revamped their Paris Portal, now available in French, Spanish and English.
One of the Current Events highlighted in their guide is Paris En Toutes Lettres (June 9 to June 13) which showcases the written word in all forms.
The festival "gives authors an opportunity to take the floor, and explores literature
in its many forms as part of open discussions with as many people as
possible. The event includes readings by authors and actors,
performances, meetings, concerts and literary balls."
Theme for 2010 is "Literature Across Paris" and they mean it as events will be held at "the Maison de la Poésie, the Musée Carnavelet, Les Trois Baudets
francophone concert hall, Petit Palais, the Musée d’art et d’histoire
du judaïsme, Père Lachaise cemetery, the 104 artists’ hub (former
funeral home turned into a City of Paris institution) and the Odeon
Theatre. The 104 is set to be the centre of the event with readings,
meetings, etc. You will be able to meet the authors in person (Paul
Auster, Annie Ernault, Jean-Claude Grumberg, Nancy Huston, etc.), the
actors and the musicians (Brigitte Fontaine, Jean Guidoni, Jeanne
Cherhal, Oxmo Puccino, etc.)."
Sunday, June 13, will be a special treat with a Banquet Hugolien, a Sunday picnic celebrating Victor Hugo with tables set on Place des Vosges to accommodate the crowd.
Famous people and everymen and women will read excerpts from Victor Hugo's writings.
Sounds like a Banquet Republicain!
All events at Paris En Toutes Lettres are Free so if you have not made plans for the week-end and happen to be in Paris, you will be able to get your fix of culture.
Picnic basket is not included.
(* Paris En Toutes Lettres site is in French only)