The credit for this great initiative goes to Jean-Claude Barens.
Former player and, above all, passionate about words, this officer of arts and letters had the idea of creating a festival linking rugby to all artistic media: painting, sculpture, image, writing.
A joyous celebration which will take place, from May 20 to 22, in the city of Saint-Paul-lès-Dax (Landes).
Exhibitions, shows, conferences, literary meetings.
A copious and eclectic program for the duration of a festival, the 2nd of the name, nicely titled “Le Grand Maul”.
The curious will be able to let themselves be lulled during an evening between cabaret and cloakroom where a piano will accompany the reading of texts and poems by several personalities, the former scrum-half of the XV of France, Pierre Berbizier, embarking on the reading of excerpts from Jack Kerouac's masterpiece, "On the Road".
Pierre Berbizier will read excerpts from “On the Road” by Kerouac
Honorary President of this 2nd edition, the journalist-writer Richard Escot (L'Équipe) will then host a round table on the theme of Literature and Rugby, he who co-signed "Line Games" with Benoît Jeantet.
The latter will also be there as, among others, Jean Colombier, Frédéric Vilar, Serge Collinet Léon Mazzella, Eric des Garets or the former international Jean-Michel Agest who slams rugby.
Debates on more societal subjects (women's rugby, the evolution of professionalism, etc.) will also be offered.
Two documentaries - the remarkable "Rugby is a party" by Christophe Duchiron and "Black Gueules and Red Devils" by Christophe Vindis - will be screened.
Exhibitions of paintings and photographs, songs, as well as a sound installation (“Vestiaires”) will prolong the discovery.
The immersion.
Time for a weekend of artistic rebounds.
All information and reservations can be found here.