The list of iconic French writers is meters-long and usually begins with the likes of Proust, Flaubert and Molière. However, just as much as any French literary figure, Jules Verne belongs among the upper echelon of Gallic wordsmiths. Jules Verne was as much a philosopher, visionary and celebrity as he was a literary writer. Verne wrote Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea before the invention of the submarine; and he penned books and stories about space, air and underwater travel in eerily prophetic ways at a time when the horse-and-buggy was the most common form of transportation. In celebration of Verne’s visionary genius, the city of Paris (parallel to Los Angeles) is hosting the Jules Verne Film Festival showcasing documentaries, feature films and speaking engagements in the spirit of the late master.
The two-day program in mid April will feature premiers, themed evenings, guest speakers and even musical performances. In addition to promoting the works of Jules Verne, the festival also aims to celebrate the themes of his writing, particularly a curiosity and respect for the world’s natural wonders. The Festival is organized by the Jules Verne Adventures Association, a unique non-profit dedicated to raising awareness, particularly among young people, to the conservation of endangered species and the planet’s natural resources. An important question lurking under the surface of both the association, and the festival, is how Verne would perceive a world in which many of his fantasies have become reality, and the toll the advancements have taken on the planet he so marveled about.
The Jules Verne Film Festival was scheduled to take place in April 2011 at the Grand Rex theater in the 2nd arrondissement, but has been moved to April 2012. Check back for more information.
Ah, Spring in Paris. There are still mid-April Paris accommodations available; start your search below:
– This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Beaubourg, Marais –Les Halles (PA-2363) is an ideal choice for traveling families or groups of friends. The apartment sports comforts such as a washer/dryer combo and wireless internet.
– This 3-bedroom rental apartment in Champs Elysees (PA-791) provides guests with their own little slice of Versailles. The gilded charms of the apartment match perfectly with the façade of the Haussmannian building.
I just finished reading Modern Marvels – Viktoriana where Jules Verne is one of the main characters. Highly recommended and entertaining.