Livres d'Ailleurs

Bibliodiversity at the heart of Nancy

Livres d'Ailleurs is a unique literary festival, driven by the association Diwan en Lorraine. Each year, the event offers an open window onto world literatures by alternating editions between two major cultural areas: Africa and the Orient.

A large-scale international partnership

The festival relies on a network of prestigious partners, foremost among them the International Alliance of Independent Publishers, a collective bringing together nearly 750 publishing houses in 55 countries. This collaboration makes it possible to invite authors and illustrators who live and write in Africa or the Orient, but also authors residing in Europe and published by African, Oriental, or European publishing houses committed to promoting bibliodiversity.

Meetings at the Palais du Gouvernement

The Palais du Gouvernement, a historic building located on Place de la Carrière in Nancy, is the main venue for the festival. This prestigious location hosts:

• Literary meetings: dialogues with around thirty authors and illustrators from around the world.
• Round tables and debates: discussions on the challenges of independent publishing and cultural diversity.
• Exhibitions: presentations of works by illustrators and photographers related to the festival's themes.
• Readings and performances: voice performances and artistic performances based on the invited texts.

Local and solidarity-based anchoring

Livres d'Ailleurs is not limited to the Palais du Gouvernement. The festival spreads throughout the Nancy metropolitan area thanks to partnerships with the bookstores of Nancy, the Jules Verne media library of Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, the MJC Lillebonne, as well as schools, universities, and community centers. This participatory dimension allows us to reach diverse audiences and raise awareness among younger generations about global literary diversity.

Thematic editions

The alternation between Africa and the Orient gives each edition a strong identity. The invited authors represent a mosaic of literary voices, including novels, poetry, children's literature, comics, and essays. The festival has thus become a must-attend event for lovers of world literature in Nancy and the Lorraine region.