Every year on May 1, the town of Arras hosts the Salon du livre d’expression populaire et de critique sociale. This annual event, created in 2002, is organized by the Colères du présent association. It brings together around a hundred authors and numerous artists from a wide range of disciplines, making the fair a true celebration of cultural diversity.
- Marked expansion and fruitful partnerships
- A place for exchange, debate and meetings
- Promoting independent French-language publishing
- A genuine social forum
- Literary awards and talent recognition
- The actions of the Colères du présent association
- A not-to-be-missed event for fans of committed literature
- To conclude
Marked expansion and fruitful partnerships
Over the years, the Salon du livre d’Arras has grown significantly, and now spans several city-center squares, including the Grand’Place, Place des Héros and Place d’Ipswich. Since 2007, it has been organized in partnership with the festival Le Son du Porte voix, which presents alternative bands in a variety of styles, including punk, rock, ska and psychobilly.
A place for exchange, debate and meetings
The aim of the Salon du livre d’expression populaire et de critique sociale is to provide a forum for exchange, debate and encounters on the themes and literatures of our time. Each year, two or three main themes are highlighted, such as borders, democracy otherwise, work, social struggles or feasible utopias. The event welcomes guests from many countries and regions, including Turkey, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Iran, Norway, Taiwan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Promoting independent French-language publishing
The Salon du livre d’Arras pays particular attention to the promotion of independent French-language publishing, with a specially dedicated area. This area brings together over 50 publishers from various French cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, Strasbourg and Paris, reflecting the diversity and richness of the French independent publishing scene. The extra-regional publishers present at the Show are carefully selected for their relevance to the event’s themes. This approach ensures consistency between the subjects covered by the publishers and the spirit of the Salon du livre d’Arras, which emphasizes popular expression and social criticism. As for local publishers, they are invited to take part in the Salon because of their commitment to independent publishing. Their presence testifies to the Salon’s desire to support and promote local and regional initiatives, thus contributing to the dynamism and vitality of the independent publishing sector in the Hauts-de-France region and beyond. Through this space dedicated to independent French-language publishing, the Arras Book Fair offers visitors the opportunity to discover original and committed works, to exchange ideas with passionate publishers and to support bold independent publishing initiatives.
The poster for the 22nd Show
A village of associations links literary subjects with realities on the ground, transforming the Salon du livre into a veritable social forum. The surrounding streets are animated by booksellers, theatrical performances, a graffiti session and an illustrathon.
Literary awards and talent recognition
Each year, the event is also an opportunity to award literary prizes, notably the Prix Jean Amila-Meckert since 2005 and the Prix Ados en colère since 2007. These awards spotlight committed authors and works that reflect the values of the Salon.
Jean Meckert, better known by his pen name Jean Amila, was born in 1910 in the tenth arrondissement of Paris and died in 1995 in Vaux-sur-Lunain. This French writer left his mark on literature through his talent and diversity. Initially known under his birth name for his novels published in the Collection Blanche by Éditions Gallimard, Jean Meckert also used the pseudonyms John Amila and then Jean Amila for his detective novels published in the famous Série noire collection. He also published other popular novels under various pseudonyms such as Édouard, Edmond or Guy Duret, Albert Duvivier, Mariodile and Marcel Pivert, testifying to his versatility as a writer. Jean Meckert’s work is marked by his libertarian sensibility, a value that permeates his entire oeuvre. This ideological orientation is reflected in the themes addressed in his writings, as well as in his writing style. This characteristic has helped to make him an essential author of French literature, and a model for future generations. That’s why, as a tribute to this talented and committed writer,the Salon du livre d’expression populaire et de critique sociale d’Arras is awarding a prize that recognizes authors and works that share the same values and passion for committed, libertarian literature.
The actions of the Colères du présent association
Organizer of the Salon du livre d’expression populaire et de critique sociale, the association Colères du présent does not limit itself to this annual event. Throughout the year, it organizes a variety of activities, including author meetings, book creation workshops, debates and artist residencies. Its aim is to create links between people, to weave the words of one another, and to enable everyone to develop their critical thinking and creativity, and take their place in the world.
The Colères du Présent association is very active on this occasion
A not-to-be-missed event for fans of committed literature
The Salon du livre d’Arras is a not-to-be-missed event for those wishing to discover engaged works, meet talented authors and artists, and exchange ideas on a variety of meaningful themes. It’s also an excellent opportunity to support independent publishing and immerse yourself in a rich and diverse cultural universe.
To conclude
To conclude this subject, the Salon du livre d’expression populaire et de critique sociale d’Arras is an unmissable event for lovers of engaged literature, the curious, enthusiasts of art and alternative culture, and fervent defenders of a fairer, more united world. See you on May 1 in the charming town of Arras for a day rich in discoveries, encounters and emotions !
Meeting place : The whole city center !
Come one, come all !
R.C.
