The crime novel and other literary arts always faithful to the cultural spring of Frontignan

The public came to meet the authors during the 2024 edition. Midi Libre – PHILIPPE MALRIC

The 2025 edition of the FIRN, International Black Novel Festival, will be held in Frontignan in the spring. As the organizer of the FIRN, the city of Frontignan will cover the travel, accommodation and catering costs related to the guests' arrival.

“Question number 28 may be a little less consensual”, he had warned. The mayor of Frontignan, Michel Arrouy, raised, in the municipal council (1) the subject of the remuneration of authors, moderators and interpreters of the 2025 edition of the FIRN, International Black Novel Festival. The opposition voted against and the majority for. The first magistrate of the commune and his team believe that the community acts “within the regulatory framework in force and the recommendations of cultural institutions like other literary events in France”.

Participant fees

This literary meeting, the date of which remains to be specified, will be held at Place du Contr’un this year on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the media library. The FIRN participants will be paid on the basis of the scale (2) defined by the National Book Center (CNL). The city of Frontignan committed to this in 2014 by signing a charter with the Occitanie Region. They are mainly literary critics, publishers, even academics and also emerging talents. As organizer of the FIRN, the city of Frontignan will cover the travel, accommodation and catering costs relating to the arrival of the guests.

Literary workshops

Authors of children's literature, adult literature or comics will receive remuneration at the amount corresponding to their category. The same goes for moderators and facilitators of literary workshops devoted to writing short stories or developing treasure hunts.

Facilitating exchanges

An international festival, the FIRN invites an average of 40% of foreign authors each year to its artistic platform. “This diversity requires the provision of professional interpreters”, explains Valérie Maillard, deputy mayor responsible for culture, heritage and gender equality. The smooth running of the event therefore requires the presence of interpreters. The festival also calls on professional moderators. “In a meeting with one or more writers, they are essential in that they allow for the creation of a dialogue between several different works around a given theme and thus promote each author while creating an exchange with the public” declares the delegate for culture.

Cultural issue

A real highlight of Frontignan's cultural year, the FIRN is organized by the Frontignan community. Valérie Maillard presented the challenges of this literary meeting of the municipal council on Thursday, December 5, 2024. “It is a cultural event that is very integrated into the lives of Frontignan residents, around walks, interventions by authors in nursing homes and schools, but also with the public and residents”, she emphasizes. “It's not just two days of demonstration or three. It's more important”.

Authors paid by the City

The remuneration of the interpreters varies from 100 euro; including tax to 250 euro; including tax per intervention. The remuneration of the moderators varies between 150 euro; and up to a maximum ceiling of 250 euros including tax. The International Black Novel Festival authorizes itself, for its part, the possibility of remunerating authors for services such as writing short stories or developing treasure hunts up to 1,000.00 euros TTC.

The Black Novel Festival also includes a pilgrimage ranging from unusual readings to book signings at bookstore stands, including cinema, concerts and live arts shows.

1) Municipal council of Thursday, December 5, 2024.
2) See box.