The Poetry Market, a major event created nearly 45 years ago by publisher Jean-Michel Place and attracting 50,000 visitors annually in Paris, is expanding to the provinces. Arles has been chosen to host its Provençal version, following a Lille edition three years ago.
The official announcement for this first Arles edition, exactly one year away, will be made this Friday, September 25th, at 6:30 PM in the ceremonial hall of the town hall. Actor Jacques Bonnafé, a regular at the event, will recite verses, as he did daily on France Culture until 2019.
The weekend continues on Saturday at 4:30 PM at the Arles media library with a performance-reading by author Patrick Dubost, also known by his more activist alter ego, « Armand le poète ». At 6 PM, musician Delphine Capron will accompany her selection of classic poems by poets like René Char, Marina Tsvetaieva, and Gabriela Mistral with her guitar.
The city previously hosted « La Périphérie » in May, one of the Poetry Market's parallel events, allowing publishers and translators to engage at the media library. For the 2027 edition, an estimated 120 to 150 poetry publishers are expected to showcase their work. The media library also hosts monthly encounters with poetry world figures, highlighting an art form resistant to fleeting trends.
These preview events are free and open to the public on September 25th and 26th. Poetry, distinct from passing fads, continues to follow its own rhythm.
