Summary:
Monaco commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Marcel Pagnol, the famous writer and filmmaker, by holding a day of remembrance that includes public homage, a roundtable discussion, the unveiling of a plaque, the release of a commemorative stamp, and a film screening.
Full Story:
Monaco commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the death of renowned writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol on April 16th. Led by Prince Albert II, this tribute day provided an opportunity for younger generations to discover or rediscover Pagnol’s works and trace the artistic and personal connections between the author and the Principality.
The celebrations began with a public tribute from the Sovereign at a memorial site, the Marcel Pagnol Square in the Trocadéro Gardens. The event was attended by Minister of State Pierre Dartout, Nicolas Pagnol (the writer’s grandson), Professor Pascal Ory of the French Academy, local students, and numerous personalities from Monaco. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at Pagnol’s former residence, Villa “La Lestra,” located at 12 Boulevard des Moulins.
In the afternoon, a panel discussion titled “Pagnol the Monégasque” took place at the Théâtre des Variétés, organized by the Palais Archives and the Audiovisual Institute. Participants included Nicolas Pagnol, Thomas Fouilleron, Vincent Vatrican, and Yann Antony-Noghès. The program featured unpublished archives and audiovisual materials, testimonials, readings, and theatrical scenes performed by actors from the Monaco Studio.
A commemorative stamp was also issued on this occasion, honoring both Marcel Pagnol and his friend, the late Prince Pierre of Monaco, who passed away in 1964.
The tribute day concluded with a screening of the restored version of Pagnol’s film “La Femme du boulanger” (1938) as part of the “Tout l’art du cinéma” program of the Audiovisual Institute.
The festivities will continue on April 19th and 20th with two performances of extracts from Marcel Pagnol’s theatrical repertoire by the Monaco Studio at the Théâtre des Variétés.
The tribute day was supported by the Prince’s Government (Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of National Education, Youth and Sports) and involved the Palais Archives, the Audiovisual Institute, the Prince Pierre Foundation, the Monaco Studio, the Monaco Media Library, and the Television Festival, for which Marcel Pagnol was the first Jury President in 1961.
Source:
Gouvernement Monaco
