From November 20 to 21, 2026, the Public Library of Mouscron invites you to celebrate contemporary literature during the Chambéry First Novel Festival. The program includes meetings with four award-winning authors, discussions about their works, an artistic exhibition, and special moments with young audiences.
This edition will highlight new literary voices and introduce promising authors to the regional public. Four writers will be present: Paul Gasnier (Collision, Gallimard), Séverine Cressan (Nourrices, Dalva), David Deneufgermain (L’Adieu au visage, Marchialy), and Claire Mathot (La Saison du silence, Actes Sud).
Three literary events are scheduled, hosted by Marie-Joëlle Pollet, offering the public the chance to discover the authors' journeys, explore their works, and discuss literary creation.
On Friday, November 20 at 2 PM, a meeting titled 'A coffee in Chambéry' will bring together Paul Gasnier and Séverine Cressan at the library. Registration is mandatory at 056/860.680.
On the same day, at 7 PM, the Estaimpuis library will host a cross-discovery meeting between Séverine Cressan, Claire Mathot, and David Deneufgermain.
On Saturday, November 21 at 10 AM, the Mouscron library will offer another meeting with Séverine Cressan, Claire Mathot, and David Deneufgermain.
The exhibition 'When Literature Inspires Visual Arts,' dedicated to works created by students of Mme Pauline Delmarquette from the Mouscron Academy of Fine Arts, will be inaugurated on Saturday, November 21 at the Library of Mouscron, following the literary meeting. The creations are inspired by Claire Mathot's novel La Saison du silence.
The festival also targets young readers. Paul Gasnier and Claire Mathot will lead school meetings with students from the Collège Sainte-Marie de Mouscron and the Institut du Sacré-Cœur, to introduce them to the writing profession.
