Colmar Book Festival

The Colmar Book Festival: over thirty years serving literature

Founded in 1990 by Patrick Richardet, a Colmar gendarme passionate about reading and poetry, the Colmar Book Festival was born from a simple and ambitious desire: to bring authors and readers together in a space for sharing and literary discovery. Initially a modest book fair held at the Koïfhus, in the heart of the old town, the event quickly grew. Affiliated with the Culture et Loisirs association and the municipal library service from 1992, it moved to the Parc des Expositions in Colmar in 1994 to accommodate an ever-increasing audience.

A regional and national event

Now led by the Pôle Média-Culture Edmond Gerrer and the Colmar municipal libraries, the festival has established itself as one of the most important literary gatherings in the Grand Est region. Each edition brings together over 200 stands hosting publishers, booksellers, cultural associations, and players in the book world. Hundreds of authors—novelists, essayists, poets, illustrators, children's authors—are present for signing sessions, conferences, and thematic round tables that foster rich exchanges between creators and readers.

A rich and diverse program

The Colmar Book Festival stands out for the diversity of its programming. Beyond traditional meet-and-greets and signings, the event offers writing and creative workshops, musical readings, live performances inspired by literature, exhibitions, and screenings. A dedicated pop culture space hosts activities around manga, cosplay, and the geek universe, demonstrating the festival's openness to all forms of storytelling.

An exemplary youth space

The festival pays special attention to the young audience. A large youth area offers activities for all ages: storytelling, creative workshops, shows for young audiences, and meetings with children's authors and illustrators. In the lead-up to the festival, visits to schools and universities allow invited authors to share their passion with students, creating a lasting link between the event and the region.

Free, festive, and open to all

True to its philosophy of accessibility, the Colmar Book Festival is entirely free, including admission and parking. This free access, a principle upheld since its inception, makes the festival a popular, intergenerational event, bringing together literature enthusiasts, families, schoolchildren, and the curious. The warm and friendly atmosphere in the aisles of the Parc des Expositions makes it a unique moment of sharing in the Alsatian cultural landscape.

Prestigious guests of honor

Each edition features prominent literary figures. As patrons of the festival, these exceptional guests contribute to its renown. The 2025 edition, themed "Au bonheur des mots" (The Joy of Words), notably welcomed American writer Douglas Kennedy and French novelist Raphaëlle Giordano, godmother of this 36th edition.