The 29th edition celebrates press freedom
The 29th Fête du Livre du Var, chaired by Sylvain Tesson, will take place at Palais Neptune in Toulon with 330 authors.
The Département has revealed the details of the 29th edition of the Fête du Livre, a major autumn cultural event. Organized for the second consecutive year at the Palais Neptune in Toulon, the event hopes to attract over 25,000 visitors, in addition to 1,000 middle school students from Var invited with their teachers.
Admission is free for all members of the public during the three days of the event.
For Jean-Louis-Masson, president of the Département, “it is an opportunity to highlight culture in the territory. It is an opportunity to showcase the transmission of ideas and the openness of our territory to the world.”
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The success of this event relies on a collaboration between the Département, represented by Véronique Lenoir, vice-president delegated to Culture, the Ville de Toulon and its mayor Josée Massi, as well as the préfet Maritime and all the authors and book professionals present.
Freedom of the press and maritime heritage
This 2026 edition revolves around three strong pillars: freedom of the press, adventure, and the maritime world. A special tribute is paid to André Malraux on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the passing of the writer and first Minister of Culture of the 5th Republic.
The honorary presidency is entrusted to travel writer Sylvain Tesson. He is surrounded by prestigious guests such as lawyer and essayist Richard Malka and senior reporter Annick Cojean, who will speak on the theme of freedom of expression.
Writer Christophe Ono-dit-Biot and Norbert Tafzi, with his combat notebooks, will join the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the Marine nationale, another highlight of this edition.
Influence and territorial equity
Beyond its programming, the Fête du Livre represents an economic and social lever for Var. More than 330 authors and their publishers are present, hosted at the stands of 16 partner booksellers from Var and two second-hand booksellers, thus mobilizing the local book ecosystem.
The Département emphasizes the popular and accessible nature of the event.
“It is a success for the influence of Var, but also for territorial equity, which must allow all residents of Var to access culture wherever they are,” emphasized the president of the Département.
This desire to reach the entire territory was demonstrated this summer with the “Lire en territoires” tour, which offered around a hundred literary events across the entire department.
Literary prizes, a major moment of participation
The Prix des Lecteurs du Var mobilized more than 6,000 voters in the department's media libraries. These libraries, along with 56 middle schools in Var, got heavily involved to bring this prize to life and encourage reading among young people.
Furthermore, the Prix Encre Marine, organized in partnership with the Préfecture Maritime, rewards one of the five books in competition on the themes of the sea and the maritime world.
Article from the print edition of La Gazette du Var