Major interviews with authors from here and elsewhere, round tables on themes that will provoke reactions, cabarets set to music: the Book Fair unveils this Thursday the program for its 46th edition, on the theme of Being Human, which will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from November 22 to 26.
Among the foreign authors who will be visiting the Salon this year include the Haitian writer Gary Victor, the Ukrainian Andreï Kourkov, the Portuguese José Rodrigues dos Santos, as well as Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, Sarah Chiche, Neige Sinno and Frédéric Lenoir .
Local authors like Chrystine Brouillet, Audrée Wilhelmy, Éric Chacour, Jean-Philippe Baril-Guérard, Akos Verboczy and Stanley Péan will be at the heart of major interviews or round tables, for lively discussions.
Louisiana artist Zachary Richard will also be at the party, while a stand will highlight the diversity and richness of Louisiana’s French-speaking culture. A Louisiana cabaret with the singer-songwriter is also on the program on Saturday evening, with Kirby Jambon, Kelli Jones and Barry Jean Ancelet. “We want to have music every evening at the Salon and on Saturdays, it’s going to be swinging,” the general director of the Montreal Book Fair, Olivier Gougeon, told La Presse.
To mark the 20th anniversary of Mémoire d’encrier, a vigil accompanied by readings and music will take place on Thursday evening around the new book by Vincent Vallières, Du bitume et du vent.
“Astonishing” encounters between authors from different backgrounds will also be put forward in a new formula, tête-à-tête – a type of cross-conversation which will allow the confrontation of ideas and points of view on the world – added Olivier Gougeon. The drag queens Rita Baga and Mado Lamotte will discuss during these tête-à-têtes, as well as Frédéric Lenoir and Nicole Bordeleau, who will discuss spirituality, beliefs and their place in society, as well as Kim Thúy and director Charles-Olivier Michaud, who will discuss the film adaptation of Ru.
“We will see these astonishing encounters in the youth programming too,” said the Salon’s general director, “among others with Dessine mon style! or I read you, you read me, meetings between two creators aimed at adolescents. »
In order to make the Show even more accessible for everyone, reduced rates will be offered during the week, with a 50% reduction on Wednesday for everyone and Thursday for seniors and students; on Friday, a 25% reduction will be offered in the afternoon and for the literary 5 à 7. Young people aged 16 to 25 will be entitled to a half-price rate for groups of three or more people.
Another new feature this year: the week pass, which will allow you to enjoy the Show during less busy times, from Wednesday to Friday, at the rate of one day.