Perception and Thought from an inspired FIS Student
On Monday 6 November we had the privilege to meet the internationally renowned dramatist, novelist and director, Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt. This meeting, organised by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, was extremely rich and equally stimulating, allowing us to see literature in a different light.
I must admit that seeing a contemporary writer (and studying his work) is not normal for me. In the French education system, the study of contemporary authors fades beside that of the “Classics”. Molière, Racine, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola and so many others are the cornerstone on which our culture is built.
Being interested in literature therefore seems as obvious as essential and its apparent decline in our society gives particular cause for concern. For many, the choice between Thérèse Raquin and Breaking Bad Season 5 on Netflix is quickly made. Nevertheless, there is no linguistic barrier between young people and reading so why this lack of interest which certain philosophers call “the reading crisis”?
It is not a cliché to say that my generation is more concerned with the appearance that certain activities portray than their actual content. What I mean is that despite its richness, literature is clearly not considered “cool” or “trendy” by a large number of us. We have all heard our parents say that reading is “the only way to improve your spelling; moreover, it’s good for culture and enriching your vocabulary!” Unfortunately by extolling the benefits of reading, the young have been turned away from it. Some people are actually embarrassed to read and hide. Being interested in literature is, at best, for nerds.
It is therefore time to make reading cool again and make it attractive for a generation who have abandoned it!
So this is why, for me, the talk by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt was especially appropriate and inspiring. First of all we were incredibly lucky to have been able to meet one of the most read and performed contemporary French authors in the world. His work has been translated into 43 languages in more than 50 countries and has been recognised by some of the most prestigious distinctions in the literary world.
We have a tendency to disregard writers and forget that behind each book, there is an author. Seeing Mr Schmitt who talked about his life, his perceptions of the world and the French language helps us to have a completely new relationship with literature. These are not the endless tomes written by men from another time because, as Mr Schmitt said “Today we tackle literature by reading dead authors, but we are reading living authors who were alive writing their work.”
Through this talk, we have to remember that literature is not only Ronsard’s sonnets or the long and complex sentences of Maupassant, it is also the novels of Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt which are all lessons in wisdom and tolerance.
Literature is alive! Just like the incredible Provencal landscapes of Marcel Pagnol and his colourful characters. Literature is up to date! As illustrated by Racines du ciel, the great ecological novel by Romain Gary, and Momo in La vie devant soi who told us in 1977 “I didn’t know for a long time that I was an Arab because nobody insulted me.”
These are the authors that made me love literature, the beauty of verbs, of the right word. Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt cast away any final doubts. Literature is alive and well, intelligent and full of inspiration!
Edouard CHARDOT, student in Seconde
« The man who captivated his audience »: interview by Students in 5è
On Monday, November 7 at 2:30 pm in the Jardine’s auditorium, it is in a febrile state that we, journalists of “Lookout”, were waiting for the arrival of one the most read French writer Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt to have the privilege of asking him some questions. We would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank both the French Consulate in Hong Kong for making his visit to HK happen, in particular at the French School, and the author himself for giving us this interview. Read and discover the man behind the writer.
Why did you dedicate yourself to writing after your trip to the Sahara desert?
It is not my trip to Sahara who made me a writer as I have always been writing. This striking adventure in the desert; I spent a lot of time alone, lost in the middle of nowhere; allowed me to finally be happy about my writing. I understood then that I could have my texts read to others, that I could share what I was writing with an audience.
What is one of your best memories as a writer?
I have no particular recollection of my best moments as a writer. I am very happy when a reader comes to me and says “thank you”.
Does philosophy help you to write your novels?
My studies and my training as a philosopher are at the center of my creation because, when you read one of my works (novels, plays, comics), I do not give you a ready answer. On the contrary, I seek to stimulate reflection in each of you. To bring you to ask yourself questions is the attitude of a philosopher.
Why did you write “The Cycle of the Invisible”?
I first wrote a book on Buddhism entitled Milarepa which tells us all about the amazing journey of a man. The latter goes from evil to good in quite a radical way. During an interview with a journalist about this novel, this journalist suggested I was myself a “Buddhist”.
When I replied that I did not belong to this religion, he seemed surprised by my approach. “Why in this case write a book about Buddhism?” I then realized that books on different religions try either to convert the reader or to condemn the religion in question. This led me to begin the Cycle of the Invisible to approach all religions with an approach of tolerance.
Of which award are you the most proud of?
I am fortunate to have received many awards for my books. I am proud to have received the “Bucherpreis” which is a famous literary prize in Germany. To this day, I am the only French author to have received it. I also keep an emotional memory of the “Academie Francaise” prize which deeply touched my father. For him, I finally recognized. Finally, I cannot fail to mention my “Moliere” awards because I received many: three at the same ceremony for a play.
Do you prefer to write novels or plays?
I have no preference between writing a novel or a play because it is not me who choose. Let me explain : Je m’explique : when I write a story, characters impose themselves on me and I see them evolving in a novel or a play. It is therefore the character who imposes one kind rather than another.
Have you ever visited schools during your career?
I have already visited many schools in France and abroad, including French Lycées (New York, Brussels, Istanbul …)
What advice would you give to a young writer?
To a young writer I advise perseverance: don’t give up! Be careful not to overestimate yourself either.
We read in your biography that you did your military service. What memory do you keep of it?
What a sense of observation! I am one of the few prominent men of letters to have done his military service. I grew up in Lyon, a city that was a stronghold of the Resistance movement. In my youth, I met some former resistance fighters and I realized that in case of war, it was necessary to know how to defend oneself. This is the reason why I wanted to do my military service.
The “Lookout” team: Maelys, Lana, Abigaïl, Mia, Helena, Amélie, Inès, Gloria, supervised by Mrs HARRE