The students of Comenius’ project were invited by Sophie Herfort, a writer, a novelist and a jury member, to attend the 3rd exhibition of History in literature, for the presentation of Du Guesclin’s Prize. The jury members were :
- Jean Castarède : economist, historian, editor
- Dimitri Casali : writer, historian
- Michel de Decker : writer, historian
- Franck Ferrand : writer, historian, radio and TV host
- Sophie Herfort : writer, historian
- Clémentine Portier Kaltenbach : writer, historian, radio and TV host
- Gonzague Saint Bris : writer, historian, journalist
- Jean Tulard : member of the Institute, writer, historian
- Jean-Pierre Vrignaud : person in charge of the magazine’s editorial « Ca m’intéresse Histoire »
- Emmanuel de Waresquiel : writer, historian
We arrived in Paris, we had free time in the St Lazare railway station before going to the Cercle National des Armées, where the exhibition took place. There were many authors, novelists and historians, who signed their books meanwhile waiting for the prizes presentation, which we could assist to.

We interviewed historians and novelists about the way that history could influence poetry and literature.


Les élèves et les professeurs avec Sophie Herfort membre du jury

Les élèves interrogeant un auteur
Here are some questions, and the answers we got.
Question asked to Claude-Catherine Kiejm
Why do writers novelize History, and why could Historybe the basis of literature?
A story, this is just imagination, big anecdotes, big characters. Literature allows writers to look into History, because History isn’t frozen. As a matter of fact, some famous novels are inspired from History. For instance, in the Russian literature, authors like Leon Tolstoy were inspired by important events. Vie et destin (life and destiny) is a novel of Grosman telling the story of a family during the Second World War. However, in a few fiction stories, the plot isn’t necessarily based on an event of History. However, History has greatly influenced literature.
Question asked to Michèle Kahn
Why do writers novelize History ?
Almost each writer has his own reason to write. When we wrote about History, we have already a distance on events, proceedings, actions, etc. And we have a better global understanding. We can for example write for aversion of your own period.
Question asked to Viviane Perret
Why can History be a part of literature’s basis ?
It’s THE basis! History, it’s the Mankind. It mustn’t be reduced to rules, laws, dates or battles. History is not a thing, that does not exist : it’s human’s like literature. They are in accordance with each other.
Question asked to Nicolas d’Estiennes d’Orves (Books : les fidélités successives, writen in 3 years, Le village de la fin du monde)
Why do writers novelize History ?
It’s the imagination, nothing is clear in History, so we must fill in the gaps.
How do you explain the success of historical novels?
By reading historical novels, readers have the impression to turn back the clock and to tell themselves stories they cannot live.
What are the main historical events that inspired you ?
For me, it’s the second world war and the German occupation in France.
Why are History and its major events a base for Literature?
History is a common base, everybody wants to know more about History and his own history.
Why did you write a book on the end of the world, foresee on December 21th?»
This novel is my 18th book with a very interesting and challenging subject. A friend suggested me to write a book about a small village, named Bugarach, which, according to the rumors, will survive to the end of the world on december 21st 2012. I made some inquiries, a little survey on this rumor and while I was at it, I spoke about the end of the world « predicted » by the Mayas.
Questions asked to Bruno Fuligni (a project executive at the assembly, archives’ specialist)
Book : Les Frasques de la Belle Epoque
La Belle Epoque represents the period from 1880 to 1914. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant epoch, but it was followed by the First Wold War. It’s whith nostalgia that we called it this way afterwards. This period is synonym of technological innovations. It’s also a troubled time at the level of the politics and of the police.
Nowadays, do the involved books have as much influence as the former ones?
No, not as much as before, since today, there are more writers. Moreover singers, dancers, actors are very broadcasted, so they are in competition with the writers. Before, writers were considered as intellectuals ».
How did the writers circumvent censorship ?
You don’t have to write if you’re not sure. In 1880, the writing was rather free. You just have to live with the likely consequences.
Questions to Jean-Matthieu Boris Combattants de la France libre
Why did you tell your story of WWII ?
I wrote this book for my children and my grandchildren. First I had only 50 copies printed, for my family. Then a friend suggested to print more copies so the public could read it. I tell my personal story of resistance during WWII.
Questions to Jean Paul-Bled: «François Ferdinand d’Autriche»
What are the main history events that inspired the authors?
The first and the second world wars are the elements which inspired the authors the most. But in this book, the event is the murder of Franz Ferdinand, heir of Austria-Hungary. I’m very interested in this country and I wrote a lot of books about him.
Questions to Alexandre Maral: «The sun king and God»
Why do the novelists write history?
The novelists re-write history to carry on the knowledge and the heritage that our ancestors passed on us.
Question to Mr. Jean Tulard. «Napoleon’s Berline»
Is Napoleon one of the most important historical characters of the French History?
Of course, Napoleon I is the founder of the French Constitution and one of the most important character of France. Not only is he a clever and strong man, but he is also a huge conqueror who marked the French and European History.
Questions to Bruno de la Palme: «A hundred years old of mistakes of the left-wing France»
Can literature influenced politis?
No, but the opposite is possible. For example, I would like to influence my French fellowcitizens not to make again the same mistakes of the left-wing France.
Aubin Traon, Eloïse Groud, Sophie de Bressy, Paula Fréson, Samantha Moreau, Charlotte Mention, Victoria Bitsindou, Bertille Delacour, Camille Douelle, Céline de Grave, Thomas Pinto Cardoso, Lara Micale