"A success last year, they almost all come back": here is the program for the 2nd Trans-en-Provence book fair

There will indeed be a book fair in Trans-en-Provence this year, on August 30th, announces the organizing association Var 4C. It will take place on the square in front of the old town hall, in the heart of the village, from approximately 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. More than thirty exhibitors will be present to present their works. They come mainly from the Var, with only a few from the Bouches-du-Rhône and Alpes-Maritimes.

The fair aims to stand out from other local events, offer new features, and, above all, ultimately create a formula that works in a context where culture is the poor relation. Jean-Pierre Chruszez, the association's founding president, explains.

What was the outcome of the first edition last year, at the same time?

It's a success that I would describe as positive because almost all the speakers are returning this year, apart from one or two people who are unable to attend and another who was unable to sell a single book last year.

What is the new formula this year?

There will be more than thirty local authors, including last year's guest of honor: the former prosecutor who worked on the Fourniret case, Francis Nachbar, who wrote My Encounter with Evil - Michel Fourniret-Monique Olivier, with a preface by Jacques Dallest, former prosecutor of Marseille, also a great man.

What are the highlights?

So, the day before—it's part of the package—on August 29, Francis Nachbar will give a lecture on cold cases (unsolved or soon-to-be-solved criminal cases, Editor's note). He will decipher the new methods for solving investigations on this subject. A fascinating subject from someone who has dealt with other cases that have made national headlines. He has left his mark on the world of justice.

Who is your guest of honor this year?

Father Guy Gilbert, a great writer whom Var-matin recently spoke about (read our August 6 edition). He is the priest of the thugs, a specialized educator, the priest of the bikers, a man with a big heart and a delightful frankness.

You announced the end of a short story competition?

That's right. For the first time, Marie-José Aubourg-Iberti and I launched a short story writing competition for young people (8 to 14 years old) and adults (over 15 years old). There were two categories. The authors had until the end of July to submit their writings (one page, recto verso). The awards ceremony, by the jury composed of six authors, will take place on August 30th at 6:30 p.m. From memory, we collected between 20 and 30 texts on the theme "the world of dreams," which is a very good success. The rewards consist of vouchers for bookstores and a writing workshop, in the Var region of course, led by Ms. Aubourg-Iberti, who will present her book La Mécanique du passé, on transgenerational psychology. A conference is also planned with Nathalie Fontan on this subject before the fair, at 3 p.m. For the record, Ms. Aubourg-Iberti is writing another book about three women from the same family, from three different generations in Draguignan and the Haut Var. These unique journeys will soon be revealed.

Is another conference planned after that?

Yes, it's confirmed for August 30th at 4 p.m. On the theme of "tarot." A slightly offbeat subject by the authors Ester Labrune and Gaëtan Ballester. An invitation to spirituality, in fact.