Why the European Book Days?

The events organised within these days aim to make citizens love Europe via books. For this purpose, numerous readings, debates, panel discussions and expositions are organised in cultural centres, bookshops, schools and libraries during a week.

Europe should not be reduced to its institutions based in Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg. Europe is also a large number of stories, ideas, debates, beginnings and endings, histories, cultures, nations and literatures.

This rich and multifaceted Europe has a long story to tell which should be discovered. It is told in a multitude of books written all across Europe every year. In order to raise people’s appetite for the non-institutional Europe, the European Book Days are celebrated every year.

What is a European Book?

That is precisely what the European Book Days intend to outline and exemplify. As according to Umberto Eco “the language of Europe is translation”, the European Book Days should work like Europe’s language: being varied, crossing borders and linking cultures.

The European Book Days contribute to the recognition of our common European culture
and present Europe as experienced by its citizens.
Conclusion drawn from the first edition
from October 20th to 25th 2008: a success

Numerous personalities participated in the events:

Vassilis Alexakis, writer,
Giami Amelio, cinema and film director,
Asfa-Wossen Asserate, Ethopian prince, German-speaking writer,
Omar Ba, French-speaking author, native of Senegal
Philippe Dessaint, director of international event management at TV5,
Jean Gili, cinema critic, professor for cinematographic history in Paris, organiser of the Italian film festival in Annecy,
Philippe Herzog, president of the think thank Confrontation Europe, former member of the European Parliament,
Václáv Jamek, Czech writer, writing books in French
Catherine Lalumière, Chairmowan of the Maison de l’Europe in Paris,
Pascal Mercier, German philosopher and writer,
Michel Rocard, former French member of the European Parliament, former Prime minister, writer, Jean Noël Schifano, writer, translator, editor,
Jorge Semprun, writer and former minister of education in Spain,
Alberto Toscano, president of the European Press Club in Paris, author.

14 outstanding authors joined the Book Days in order to communicate the cultural heritage of Europe. Besides the events, a communication campaign was conducted in the Internet and more than 20.000 print leaflets were distributed. The idea of an annual edition of the European Book Days was widely appreciated. The public strongly enjoyed the first edition. A large number of libraries, bookshops, institutions and cultural centres enthusiastically agreed with an annual participation in the European Book Days.

To be continued: Due to their success and growing importance, the European Book Days will be organised annually. They aim to deepen the common activities of their participants and to embrace new partners and towns.

Topic 2009: Tasty Europe

in Paris, Geneva, Brussels, Luxembourg, Mainz und Bucharest as well as
Strasbourg, Besançon, Chambéry, Cognac
Cergy, Clichy, Chelles, Evry, Alfortville, Conflans and Aubervilliers.

The European Book Days aim to promote the European culture and the intercultural dialogue in different regions via books. The second edition focuses on books linked to gastronomy: cookery books of known and less known cooks, novels with a gastronomy-based plot and specialised books on eating habits…Cuisine, gastronomy and pleasure, this means well-being, get-together and communication – a dialogue between cultures.

Euro-Toques

We are collaborating with Euro-Toques, an organisation of chefs throughout Europe. This non-profit association was founded in 1986 by Pierre Romeyer and Paul Bocuse. It represents the cooks of Europe that promote quality and taste of food as well as the work of professional cuisine. The association gives the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences in order to develop and encourage new technologies in due consideration of European culinary traditions.

More than 4.000 cooks from all over Europe are member of Euro-Toques today whereas 500 are French.

www.euro-toques.org

Events organised by our partners

Salon des Littératures Européennes de Cognac
from November 19th to 22th.
www.litteratures-europeenes.com

Mediterranean

The European culture and the culture of the other side of the Mediterranean Sea are closely connected with each other. As a matter of course, their books and authors are more than welcome.

The participation of schools

Besides cultural centres, bookshops and libraries, pupils will be involved in the European Book Days.

Our Partner:

Euro-Toques,
Institut Européen des Itinéraires Culturels
Bibliothèque Nationale du Luxembourg,
Bibliothèque Nationale de France,
Bibliothèque Gourmande de Dijon,
Maison de l’Europe de Strasbourg,
Maison Rhénanie Palatinat Dijon,
Citée Nationale de l’Histoire de l’Immigration