2024 European Literature and Culture (LEC) Festival in Cognac:

Whatever you do, don’t book anything other than a visit to Cognac for the weekend of 15 – 17 November.

Why not?

Because (pretty much) the whole of Ireland will be coming for the LEC festival that weekend, which makes it the perfect opportunity to indulge in lots of Irish culture without having to travel there.

Yes, the LEC is a literature festival, because books are at the heart of it. But this 37th edition of Littératures Européennes Cognac (LEC), which attracted 6 000 participants last year, will offer so many different activities that it’s far more than a literary festival.

If you’re interested in Ireland, want to understand its history, geopolitics, art – or, like me, how to make a presentable Irish coffee* – then this festival is for you.

Of the 30 authors present, 10 are Irish and will be talking and answering questions about their work. During the festival and beforehand there will be showings of 7 Irish films (including Kneecap, about an Irish rap group – in Gaelic – on 24 October, 8:30pm at the Galaxy cinema), an Irish folk concert with Imrama, an Irish band Clover Milk at Le Garage bar, a workshop on making Irish coffees at Bar Louise from 4 – 10 November, a calligraphy workshop, an Irish folk dance lesson, a felt-weaving workshop, a participative Lego construction (and deconstruction), Irish legend storytelling, talks about Irish rugby, geopolitical round tables, history presentations, exhibitions and bookstalls. The majority of events are free, though some will require a small fee.

There are 3 different festival venues in the town during the weekend. The popular Kids Zone – children’s literature and a whole host of workshops, shows and book dedications – will be centred at the Fondation Martell. See the teaser film here.

You’ll find the world of comics and graphic novels at the Couvent des Récollets alongside an exhibition by illustrator Paddy Donnelly, the creator of the festival poster.

The centre of the festival, with its historians, authors, journalists and Ireland specialists, is at La Salamandre congress centre.

There are also many events at the festival partners’ premises, including an exhibition about Richard Hennessy, the cognac company’s Irish founder; an author talk with Irish writer Jan Carson at Meukow; a tasting of typical Irish dishes at the covered market; and showings of Irish films at local libraries. The LEC has also been organising Irish events throughout 2024, including Lisa McInerney’s visit to Jarnac in July.

From mid-October until the festival, there will be an Irish writer in residence: Michelle Gallen, author of the brilliant Big Girl, Small Town and Factory Girls. Come and meet her on Wednesday 16 October at 6pm at L’Atelier des Quais bar. She’ll also be speaking in libraries all over Poitou-Charentes during the month, as well as having a slot at the festival. And visual artist-in-residence Shane O’Driscoll has already begun decorating Cognac. Have you seen him painting near the high school in between rain showers?

I’m blogging early about the festival so you have time to order the guest speakers’ books from Le Texte Libre and read them before their appearances. So, without more ado, here are the literary details.

Firstly, the contenders for the Prix des Lecteurs (Readers’ Prize), sponsored by Cognac Frapin: around 1800 readers in 141 library groups have read and voted on their favourite of four Irish novels recently translated into French:

Louise Kennedy – TrespassesJan Carson – The RapturesBilly O’Callaghan – Life SentencesRuth Gilligan – The Butchers

These authors will be present at the Avant-Scène theatre on Saturday 16th November, from 10am to 12pm, talking about their books, taking questions and doing book signings. At the end of the session, the winner will be announced…

In the selection for the High School Prize (Prix JMJE) is Irish author Sue Rainsford with her book Follow Me to Ground. She will also be present at the festival.

And I’m wildly excited to say that the winner of the coveted Jean Monnet prize this year is Ian McEwan with his book Lessons. He’ll be at the theatre on Saturday 16 November at 5:45pm to receive his prize.

The four Readers’ Prize authors will also be making appearances at libraries around Poitou-Charentes: see the programme below:

Other popular Irish authors will be present at round table discussions and book signings during the weekend, including Lisa McInerney, Ferdia Lennon and Darragh McKeon. If your French is good, you may be interested to hear a discussion about Maggie O’Farrell’s book The Marriage Portrait; she’ll be represented by her French translator Sarah Tardy.

More details will be available as we approach the festival: follow the LEC facebook page for up-to-date information. If you’d like to work as a volunteer at the festival (I highly recommend the experience), get in touch with the LEC – or leave me a message in the comments or via my contact page. And finally, you might like to check out the video teaser of the festival here.

Look forward to seeing you in November.

*No matter how often I try (and, yes, some whole evenings have been spent trying) I’ve never managed to make a presentable Irish coffee.