Under their togas, sneakers.
For one afternoon, the Latinist and Hellenist high school students from La Bruyère, in Versailles, are Marc-Antoine, Cicero, or Ulysses.
“What happened to the conspirators who killed him?
»
says Tatiana, a second grade student, in a vibrant voice.
The amphitheater of the Open University of Versailles is well filled.
The sixth edition of the Festival of Classical Languages promises to be, once again, a success.
This Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3, in partnership with the publishing house Les Belles Lettres, the City of Versailles is honoring Greek, Latin, but also Chinese cultures.
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“Latin is demanding, but it allows us to see how our language is structured
,” slips the young girl, her head arched with a crown of golden ivy.
“I came for Latin!”
»
, a retiree whispers to us from an armchair at the back.
“The success of this year is that there are really all ages.
Just look around the room!
»
, rejoices Nicolas Filicic, editor and responsible for development of Les Belles Lettres editions.
He initiated this festival six years ago, with Jean-Marie Guinebert, director of cultural affairs for the city.
“The hard core of the festival is scholarly of course, but we try to reach everyone
,” adds the latter.
2,000 people are expected.
A class from Nantes even plans to charter a bus to attend next year.
A rare tandem
“This festival has no equivalent anywhere else in Europe
,” continues Jean-Marie Guinebert.
“We are halfway between the scholarly and the popular, and above all, it is very rare, atypical, this tandem between a city and a publisher.
This allows for great diversity.
»
Alongside conferences given by the best specialists, the holders of the three chairs of ancient culture at the Collège de France for example, we can find debates, origami workshops, ancient costumes, introductory courses, films classics at the UGC Roxane cinema… “
The festival brings together associations that promote the classic humanities
,” explains Nicolas Filicic.
Present are the associations “Stop your tank”, “Antiquity future”, but also the Institute of Rare Languages (ILARA) for example.
“This festival has its success, it is now well established
,” explains
François de Mazières, mayor of Versailles, to Le
Figaro .
“With Latin and Greek, we always meet enthusiasts.
And then the teachers are very happy to have their discipline put in the spotlight in this way.”
Which makes the festival particularly lively and friendly, in perfect continuity with
“Month Molière” or the
“Histoire de Lire”
fair
.
“
We rely on Versailles’ reputation for being a city of culture.
Take the castle for example: everything is reminiscent of mythological stories
,” continues the mayor.
Soon to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the city could not fail to support this sporting aspect with numerous cultural activities.
The festival returns to the roots of Olympism.
Its theme?
“Bodies at play”
.
“He imposed himself,”
explains François de Mazières.