Hélène Fischbach, director of the Quais du Polar: “Crime novels will not lack themes in the coming years” | Elementary | Culture | EUROtoday

Hélène Fischbach (Lot-et-Garonne, 45 years outdated) has been linked to the Quais du Polar in Lyon for the reason that first version, a pageant that she started directing in 2014 and which has turn out to be the most important gathering of crime novel authors, readers and consultants in Europe. or, as the author Bernard Minier mentioned “the Woodstock of the crime novel.” A terrific studying pageant that celebrates its twentieth anniversary this yr. Fischbach receives EL PAÍS on the Palacio de la Bolsa, an imposing constructing that turns into the worldwide epicenter of the style in these three dizzying days of April. It's Friday morning, however corridor central is already filled with readers (100,000 guests this yr) who meander by the bookstores seeking a novel or wait in lengthy traces to get a signature and some seconds of chatting with their favourite authors. He polar (because the style is thought in France) bought practically 23 million copies in 2023. And a number of the blame lies with it.

Ask. The Quais du Polar is a hit story on the earth of cultural administration. Where is the important thing?

Answer. It's an attention-grabbing mixture of talking engagements and signings the place the writers are really approachable. Readers and authors greet one another right here as if nothing had occurred.

P. What conjures up you this twentieth anniversary?

R. It is a pageant that has tried from the start to resume the viewers of literature festivals to transcend those who had been already often in bookstores. We went out to search for a much less studying public by opening ourselves to cinema, artwork, music or gastronomy and I believe it has labored.

P. Is the noir style nonetheless thought of minor literature?

R. The picture has modified radically since 2005: earlier than there was nice reluctance within the literary world. 20 years in the past they had been a extra closed group of readers, however now roughly everybody reads a e-book every now and then. polar. And the borders aren’t so clear between writers both. Look, for instance, at Nicolas Mathieu or Pierre Lemaitre, who began in crime fiction earlier than successful the Goncourt. Librarians and booksellers are discovering it more and more tough to categorise books by style.

P. What is the common profile of the reader who attends the pageant?

R. They are largely ladies, as I believe occurs a bit in every single place.

P. And the younger folks? How do you get them to return nearer?

R. It is tougher, however each the pageant and the occasions that happen all through the month are more and more vital. They take part intensely in probably the most interactive actions equivalent to our video games and area investigations they usually bought out in just some minutes to see crime knowledgeable YouTuber McSkyz, who has now printed his second e-book.

P. Within this generational openness and pursuits, the pageant pays shut consideration to audiovisuals. That contribute?

R. It's a style that works very effectively on display screen. In 2005, once we began, it was primarily films and the sequence didn’t have the status they do now. We have created a prize, Polar in sequence, to acknowledge probably the most adaptable works and we now have signed an settlement with Séries Mania as a result of in the long run the noir style seems to the display screen. You may even see how some authors have modified their method of writing and on the similar time there are numerous screenwriters who write crime novels.

P. Why are they betting on three days when with this programming they may fill every week?

R. It is tough to convey the general public in the course of the week. Also, we’re a free pageant and it’s important to maintain it that method, so it’s best to pay attention it.

We are a free pageant and it’s important that it stays that method”

P. He polar Has it given ladies the area they deserve?

R. Not but, however every part has developed lots lately. The world of publishing is basically female and that is mirrored little by little within the presence of extra feminine authors. Furthermore, the clichés about feminine characters, who’re not the sufferer or the femme fatale, are disappearing, and there are increasingly books that tackle violence in opposition to ladies from a brand new perspective.

P. What authors do you remorse not having the ability to convey?

R. It is now unimaginable, however my nice frustration is that John Le Carré didn’t come earlier than his demise; I attempted for years. I’d love for Ken Follet to return and it might be nice if we may convey Stephen King, however in the mean time nothing.

P. HHe has cited Dennis Lehane and SA Cosby, each current on the pageant, as two of his favourite authors. Do your studying tastes decide the pageant program?

R. They don't affect past an writer right here and there, however the panel is so broad that it turns into diluted.

P. How do you see the pageant in 20 years?

R. Ugh, it's tough. What I’m certain of is that the crime novel is not going to lack themes. Unfortunately, the geopolitical scenario, environmental issues and different conflicts are going to offer sufficient materials to the style. For our half, we are going to attempt to proceed being open and construct extra bridges between readers and authors and between genres and codecs.

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