A Postcard from Mouans-Sartoux
It was with great joy that les éditions Leal Torres participated, once again, in the Festival du Livre de Mouans-Sartoux book festival. Held during the first weekend of October, the 39th edition of this unmissable annual event was themed "The World Is Worth It"—a title that calls upon us to take action, and indeed to work on a daily basis, to protect and cultivate what we hold most precious.
Les éditions Leal Torres took the opportunity to present their latest book, Comment naît un livre ? [How Is a Book Born?], together with author Pierre-Marc de Biasi. Two free, public-facing events were organized: a screening of François Goizé’s film Comment naît un livre ?, which was followed by a discussion, as well as an exhibition-discussion centred on the theme "The Book as a Work of Art."
Screening of the film Comment naît un livre ? by François Goizé
On Sunday, October 4, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, La Strada cinema hosted the first public screening of François Goizé’s documentary Comment naît un livre ?. This short film—recorded and produced over a two-year period—explores the concept of the book as a living organism.
The film examines the processes through which an idea, born in a writer’s mind, evolves into a writing project—taking shape through drafts and a final version—before ultimately becoming a published book. The documentary also sheds light on the various forms of expertise that go into the creation of that extraordinary object: the book. By showcasing every stage in the design and production of such a work, les éditions Leal Torres sought to celebrate the book—demonstrating that, when it comes to creation, the sharing of ideas, and enduring legacy, it remains an irreplaceable medium for any humanist culture worthy of the name.
The screening was followed by a discussion with Pierre-Marc de Biasi and Priscillia Leal Torres, who highlighted the importance of investing in the preservation and transmission of the precious heritage associated with the book.
Exhibition of the artwork-book Comment naît un livre ?, co-published with Imprimerie nationale Éditions
On Sunday, October 4, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., our team had the pleasure of presenting Comment naît un livre ? at the Espace de l’Art Concret—Donation Albers-Honegger, located in the park of the Château de Mouans-Sartoux.
During this special opportunity for engagement and dialogue, Pierre-Marc de Biasi, Priscillia Leal Torres, and the audience explored the sensory horizon of the book and the magic of its physical form. Beyond the quality of the paper and the tactility of the typography, it was Louise Bescond’s etchings—each depicting a specific stage in the book-making process—that particularly captured the participants' attention.
The internationally renowned fine bookbinder, who contributed to this work as an artist, explains her decision to feature the craftspeople from the Atelier du Livre d’Art et de l’Estampe of the Imprimerie nationale, the French National Printing Office’s Fine Book and Print Workshop, in her engravings: "Because I know—from personal, physical experience—what it takes to practice a craft at a high level, and because I have been fortunate enough, throughout my training and my career as a bookbinder, to gain firsthand insight into the incredible complexity of the work done by typographers and printers, I wanted to pay tribute to these book artisans. It was essential to me that they—the very people who made this book what it is, through their gestures and their expertise—should be at the heart of the images."
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee of the Mouans-Sartoux Festival, as well as to all the exhibitors, speakers, filmmakers, thinkers, and visitors who contributed to the success of this significant gathering. At a time when uncertainty and discouragement seem to prevail across the world, the Mouans-Sartoux Book Festival succeeded in creating a moment of joy, sharing, and beauty.
We also thank you, dear readers of Le Calepin, for following our adventures from near and far. We look forward to seeing you again at our next event: the International Rare Book & Graphic Arts Fair, organized by the Syndicat national de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM) during the first weekend of December.
