A festival to immerse yourself in “living poetry” in Tourtour
"Poetry nourishes the spirit. We need it. Just like art in general." While defining poetry is not easy, Stéphanie Ferrat, poet, painter, and co-organizer of the Tourtour Poetry Festival, has her own take on the matter. "Poetry is both the poor relation of literature—in the sense that it is less successful than other genres—but it is also, perhaps, its hardest core, its foundation."
Poetry, also born, sometimes, from magic. An emotion. "In the space between the clashing words, something emerges, " she imagines. "It's difficult to explain. But sometimes, when we read poetry, the words stumble. They upset us, question us, and challenge us. For me, poetry is something alive, something that trembles, that vibrates. A bit like in life in general: we tremble, we vibrate, when we have emotions. We then feel alive. Even if we don't always understand these emotions. Just as we don't always understand what makes us vibrate in poetry."
This "living" poetry is precisely what the festival organizers intend to promote and democratize, with a plethora of readings, exhibitions, music, and much more. An adventure that began four years ago.
During a stay in Lodève (34), Stéphanie attended the poetry festival Les Voix de la Méditerranée. "I then had this slightly crazy idea... I said to myself that in Tourtour, there was potential to organize an event of this type." Potential, because the village is a beautiful setting, "neither too big nor too small" . Perfect for setting up a festival on a human scale, in an intimate setting. Something that encourages exchange, the creation of links between public and authors. A formula that invites encounters, that promotes access to culture. "Our wish is to reach visitors. But also to bring to poetry those who might put up barriers. Because sometimes, poetry is scary. Some don't dare to take the plunge. They refuse to be around it, because they wrongly think that it is not accessible to them..."
The desire to create such a festival also stems from an observation: poetry venues are few and far between. "I don't know many in Dracénie or in the department for that matter." To change that, with the idea in the drawer, Stéphanie Ferrat approached François Heusbourg, poet and publisher, who runs Unes Publishing (1). "I asked him if he was interested in the project. And he was immediately on board." Since then, the two organizers, supported by their small team, have grown the festival year after year, with a lot of elbow grease and resourcefulness. They even received a very first grant of €5,000 from the Regional Council. Little by little, a dynamic has built up around the event. Word of mouth is working. Authors from all over Europe are spreading the word and responding positively to invitations. A real emulation is underway.
Poetry, music, painting...This year, the festival will be even bigger. "We're ramping up, with around fifteen authors expected." Each year, the festival welcomes foreign poets among its guest writers, like this year's Irish poet Geoffrey Squires. "He's practically bilingual. His poetry is very simple. It features observations of landscapes, wanderings, in a profound and calm style," Stéphanie describes.
One of the fundamentals of the festival is also to mix generations of authors. "This is important to us. To show even more that poetry is alive and well." To break the somewhat old-fashioned image that can cling to it. This will be the case, in particular, with the Cypriot poet Marie Roumégas, 22, who has just released her first book. "She grew up between Corsica, Crete, and Cyprus. I would say that her poetry is almost naive, in its simplicity." And then more recognized authors will also be on the program. Like Esther Tellermann. "The great French poet, multi-award winner, with the François-Coppée Prize from the Académie Française, the Max-Jacob Prize, and the Louise-Labé Prize. She is a great lady. For me, her poetry is classy. It reminds me of velvet. She often addresses the question of the other, in a hidden or indirect way."
Also of note is Dorothée Volut, based in Artignosc. "A real favorite. What she conveys is truly beautiful." For three days, these authors will set up shop in an alleyway or a small square, in the shade of a plane tree, for intimate readings. "Everyone will read passages of their choice for 15 to 20 minutes. We'll move from one place to another, without there being any simultaneous readings. This year, we'll also offer readings in two voices, with two poets one after the other, to inject a different dynamic, a different energy." But beyond the readings, poetry will be expressed in many ways. This will include a painting exhibition. " We always invite painters who have a connection with books." But also through music, "including a deckchair aperitif and readings accompanied by solo pianist Benjamin Muller. Or a concert by Saxophonus, an improvised music group that brings together three saxophonists, on Saturday evening. Again, with a link to words, probably a reading by our patron, poet and writer, Bernard Chambaz."
Also worth noting is a writing workshop, offered by Ludovic Degroote, "outdoors by the canal, in the shade of the oak trees, near the old washhouse. To focus on the creative process, and approach poetry differently."
Children will also be involved in the festival, particularly through schoolwork completed in advance. "They will read their poems, written during workshops led by the Remarque association. And their creations will be exhibited at the municipal library."
A lovely program for a journey into the imagination. Sharing, connecting. "Something always comes from these encounters..." assures Stéphanie. We readily believe her.
1. Now based in Nice, Unes editions were founded in Draguignan in 1981 by Jean-Pierre Sintive.
Var-Matin
