Four long years that American literature had no longer had the right to its Parisian high mass. Put on hold because of the pandemic, the Festival America de Vincennes is celebrating its big comeback and is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. de-Marne, the publisher Francis Geffard, founder of the festival, and his team bring together more than eighty authors, mainly from the United States and Canada, but also from the Caribbean and South America, all passionate observers and passionate about the tensions at work on the American continent. This year more than ever, America intends to reconnect with its traditions. Friday evening will thus mark the great return of the Page – America Prize which will be awarded to one of the three finalists Leila Mottley (Albin Michel), Brandon Taylor (La Croisée) and Bryan Washington (JC Lattès). Like a symbol, the sacred monsters Richard Ford and Russel Banks, guests of honor at the first edition in 2002, will once again be there. Richard Ford honoring us with his presence throughout the weekend while Russell Banks, unfortunately unable to travel so far, will be with us in Visio conference. A five-star cast to capture the spirit of the times But a lot of other iconic American writers will join the party and reveal themselves in exceptional one-on-ones like star author Jonathan Franzen, gay icon Armistead Maupin, spokesperson for Native American peoples Louise Erdrich and African-American novelist American Ta-Nehisi Coates.Throughout the four days of this impressive programme, the meetings will follow one another at a brisk pace and will highlight themes that are in tune with the times. Behind the American decor with the disturbing Eugene Marten, the climate crisis with the militant skater Michael Christie, the voice of women with the revelation Leila Mottley or even a cycle of discussion around the Indians of America with among others, the new figure of Stephen Graham Jones crime fiction. Finally, to enchant this great literary festival, thematic evenings will be added to the program. On September 24, from 9 p.m., at the Georges Pompidou cultural center in Vincennes, a Pride evening will be held, dedicated to the LGBTQ+ public and organized in partnership with the magazine Têtu. A meeting between the writers Shannon Pufahl, Kevin Lambert and Armistead Maupin will thus be followed by a screening of the film Call Me By Your Name by Luca Guadagnino, adapted from the novel by André Aciman. The same evening at the Le Vincennes cinema, a special evening hip-hop will be hosted by the curator of the “Hip-Hop 360” exhibition at the Paris Philharmonic François Gautret. This same cinema will also host event screenings throughout the festival, such as the film Last Days of Summer by Jason Reitman in the presence of Joyce Maynard, that of Wildlife by Paul Dano in the presence of Richard Ford or even that of the first film by François Busnel, Only the Earth is Eternal, dedicated to Jim Harrison. The ticket office is already open for all events. You know what to do.
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