“Savoy goes English”
By choosing this subject, in the same year as Brexit, Livres en Fête, Brison Saint-Innocent’s book fair aims to recall to mind a prestigious episode in our Savoyard history and to stay faithful to its spirit.
Specifically, it is a matter of vigourously maintaining the close links that have been forged over a long period between our region and the United Kingdom, one of the iconic examples of which is the family line of Barons Despine who resided in Saint-Innocent (in the building that is, today, our Mairie).
A wonderful opportunity, therefore, to join in with the wide programme of cultural events on offer in our neighbouring town of Aix-les-Bains, in this year 2020. Celebrations include the 150th anniversary of the Anglican St Swithun’s Church and the 130th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s last visit in the spa town.
From the Belle Époque until the end of the thirties it was the British aristocracy that set the fashion, bringing to Aix-les-Bains in their wake a large portion of the artistic, scientific and political elite of the United Kingdom, coming to undertake treatments but also to enjoy themselves. A whole chapter of our local heritage was thereby created and enriched.
Stephen Clarke will be our guest of honour. Historian, journalist, writer, author of “1000 years of Annoying the French” and numerous contributions to the comparative study of attitudes towards, and misunderstandings between, France and the United Kingdom. He is the person qualified to speak to us of the worst as well as the best of these strange and powerful relationships that we wish, more than ever, to keep alive.
