Spring poets: “Poetry is the last refuge of the free man” – Le Figaro

INTERVIEW – From 5 to 20 March, the 18th edition of the event organizes events throughout France to celebrate the great writers of the twentieth century. The opportunity for the artistic director Jean Pierre Siméon to explain the importance of this literary genre in today’s society.

For its 18th edition, from 5 to 20 March, the Spring of poets celebrated the great poets of the twentieth century. Guillaume Apollinaire, Paul Claudel, Louis Aragon, Jacques Prévert … so many personalities that have marked the world of poetry by their singular texts and still today have a bearing on the present world.

Sponsored this year by actor Michael Lonsdale, is organizing the event for two weeks readings, celebrations, round tables and tributes throughout France. This edition is all the more special it is dedicated to the Palestinian poet Fayad Ashraf condemned by Saudi Arabia to eight years in prison and 800 lashes for his writings deemed “blasphemous”. An anthology of his poems just published the cherries Time, Instructions inside , texts selected and translated from Arabic by Moroccan poet Abdellatif Laabi.

LE FIGARO. – Why did you choose to honor the great poets of the twentieth century

Jean Pierre SIMEON?. – This is the great age of poetry and certainly one of the greatest of French literature. There has never been as good if poets: Paul Claudel, Guillaume Apollinaire, Jules Supervielle, Blaise Cendrars, Louis Aragon, Robert Desnos, to name a few … Their names are inscribed on the monuments and in the schools, but we do not read deep enough!

What do you think of poetry today?

There are a lot of young poets who want to reconnect with lyricism and public. There is a renewed interest in the genre that has long been marginalized and forgotten. We need to shine shutter clichés; poetry is accessible to everyone. And it sells! You will find lots of small publishers region selling poetry books. For example, the pocket collection “Poetry / Gallimard” has sold 18 million copies in fifty years. Proof that poetry exists and is alive and well.

This 18th edition is dedicated to the Palestinian poet Fayad Ashraf. What message do you want to convey?

The poetry is the last refuge of the free man. Ashraf Fayad is a young poet of 30, who was sentenced to eight years in prison and 800 lashes in Saudi Arabia for having published one collection of poems deemed blasphemous. Our goal is to salute the courage of the author and prove that poetry always stand face to barbarism.

Several events are planned throughout France. Which ones not to be missed?

On March 8 there will be a reading to celebrate one hundred years of poetry at the French Comedy. A tribute to Luc Bérimont evening is planned on March 12 at the National Book Centre, rue de Verneuil in Paris. 17, 18 and 19 March will be held in Bezons “film poem”, the short film festival of poetry. Finally, the great Hungarian poet Andras Imreh will visit Querbes to go to meet the inhabitants for several days.

Spring poets throughout France until March 20. printempsdespoetes.com