Several prominent authors have recently decided to boycott the annual literary lunch organized by L'Express due to the presence of Jordan Bardella, the leader of the National Rally (RN) party. Scheduled for February 5, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Monceau hotel in Paris, the event highlights France's successful best-selling authors. This year, the absence of well-known authors has sparked significant media attention and debate about artistic integrity versus political association.
This decision by authors like Kamel Daoud, Gaël Faye, Miguel Bonnefoy, and Sandrine Collette, to name just a few, stems from their discomfort with the idea of sharing space, let alone celebratory moments, with Bardella, especially considering his controversial political background. According to reports, more than ten authors declined the invitation, raising serious questions about the normalization of political figures through literary events.
“Que Bardella écrive des livres, qu’il les vende, qu’il ait des millions d’électeurs, c’est une chose. Mais boire du champagne avec lui et poser à côté de lui, c’en est une autre,” voiced one anonymous author, reflecting the general sentiment among many of the writers who chose to boycott the event. Their fears seemed rooted not only in personal beliefs about Bardella’s political views but also on the broader implication of their presence endorsing these views.
Among those refusing to attend were winners of prestigious literary prizes, such as the Goncourt and Renaudot, which adds additional weight to their protest. Authors like Olivier Norek and Mélissa Da Costa, who have strong followings, signaled their dissent by staying away, hoping to maintain their moral and ethical distance from Bardella's right-wing populism.
The issue hit the airwaves when Marlène Schiappa, former minister and author, expressed her disappointment about the current climate of dialogue, characterizing it as lacking depth and connection. With intellectuals concerned about engaging detrimental figures, the lunch's controversy reflects broader anxieties within the literary community about political associations.
A significant factor prompting this literary silence is Bardella’s recent autobiographical work. His book “Ce que je cherche” reportedly sold 140,000 copies, making his attendance at the literary lunch justifiable according to L'Express’s event standards, where authors are typically invited based on sales metrics. This juxtaposition of commercial success against political integrity forms the crux of the conflict.
Those boycotting argue they cannot align themselves with the marketing efforts of Bardella’s autobiography, fearing it would contribute to legitimizing his political narrative. Another anonymous writer added, “Pas question de banaliser le mal,” emphasizing the importance of resisting any appearance of endorsement. Such sentiments underline the deep-seated ideological rifts challenging artistic collaboration.
L’Express director Éric Chol responded to the authors’ claims, stating, “Nous invitons les auteurs de notre palmarès, ce qui veut dire que nous invitons aussi des gens que nous combattons dans les pages du journal.” This acknowledgment reflects the magazine's longstanding practice of inviting diverse voices, even those from opposing political stances, during literary gatherings.
The event, which has traditionally celebrated literary excellence, appeared poised at the intersection of literature and political discord this year. While the majority of the expected invitees echoed the excitement of mingling with fellow top sellers, the growing political climate has led to discontent among authors who feel their presence could unwittingly support figures who directly oppose their values.
Despite L'Express’s usual attendance of around forty authors, reports suggest this year's turnout may dwindle significantly due to the recent rifts. The absence of significant prize-winning authors illuminates the tensions present not only within the literary world but also across the broader societal canvas.
While Amélie Nothomb is expected to make her appearance at the lunch, the absence of many renowned names signifies more than just personal choice. Their refusal encapsulates the broader struggle among France’s artistic community to grapple with how to engage with powerful political figures, maintaining their authenticity as writers and citizens.
The situation highlights the delicate balance artists must strike between presence and absence and the moral decisions they face as cultural figures. While attending such lunches has typically been seen as honorific, this year's backlash indicates shifting dynamics where contemporary political realities intervene dramatically within the literary framework.
Going forward, the L'Express lunch poses the question of whether it can maintain its identity as a literary celebration without alienation or endorsement, especially as political figures increasingly permeate cultural spaces.