Vagabonding with literature at Salon du Livre

Some times the best place to find adventure is cracking the spine of a good book.

That's the idea behind the theme of this year's Salon du Livre du Grand Sudbury, the sixth biannual edition of the French book fair, unveiled Feb. 25.

That theme — “Vagabonder ... par monts et par mots” — in English means something akin to “wanderings over hill and tale,” and aims to convey a sense of adventure, in life and in literature.

“Our translator has suggested the translation 'wanderings over hill and tale', but there's also a sense of adventure in 'vagabondage,' ” said Roxanne Charlebois, co-director of Salon du Livre du Grand Sudbury. “Basically, we wanted to convey the idea of the adventure and freedom there is in vagabonding through the world and vagabonding through words and literature.

“Many of the authors we have invited are world travellers and they also allow us to be travellers by reading their books.”

Among the 20 authors travelling to Sudbury for the event will be the honorary president, Marguerite Andersen, the acclaimed Toronto-based author and educator. Her 2009 novel “Le Figuier sur le toit” won the French-language Trillium Award that year.

Also on hand will be Kim Thúy, Vietnamese-Canadian author of the internationally renowned novel “Ru,” as well as Acadian author France Daigle, who pioneered the use the Acadian dialect Chiac in her work.

The event, which will be held May 8 to 11 at the Radisson Hotel, will be hosting various activities and shows to attract a wide spectrum of people from all walks of life.

“It's not only a great place to come stock up on French books, but it's also a place to come meet authors and discover new books, to discuss books and ideas, to encourage a child's love of books and reading,” Charlebois said.

Of the three major shows planned for the event, only one has been announced — a May 9 concert by singer-songwriter Thomas Hellman, who sets the work of well-known French-Canadian poets to music.