Tribute to Marcel Pagnol: Monaco commemorates 50th anniversary of his passing

S.A.S. le Prince Albert II et Nicolas Pagnol © Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali

On Tuesday 16 April, Monaco paid tribute to Marcel Pagnol, the famous writer-director who passed away in 1974. On the initiative of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, this day of tribute was an opportunity – for younger generations in particular – to discover or rediscover the works of Marcel Pagnol and map the artistic and personal ties the author had with the Principality.

Celebrations began with a public tribute by the Prince at a memorial site: the commemorative stone in Marcel Pagnol square in the Jardin du Trocadero, in the presence of H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout, Minister of State, Nicolas Pagnol, the writer’s grandson, Professor Pascal Ory of the Académie française, schoolchildren and several public figures from the Principality. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled outside of “La Lestra”, the villa located at 12 Boulevard des Moulins where Pagnol lived from 1951 to 1954.

A round table discussion was held at the Théâtre des Variétés in the afternoon on the subject of “Pagnol le Monegasque”, with Nicolas Pagnol, Thomas Fouilleron, Vincent Vatrican and Yann Antony-Noghès, organised by the Archives of the Prince’s Palace and the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco. The event included never-before-seen archives and footage, personal accounts and readings, as well as scenes from plays, performed by actors from the Studio de Monaco.

A double stamp was also issued for the occasion to illustrate and pay tribute to both Marcel Pagnol and his friend, Prince Pierre of Monaco, who passed away in 1964.

The day of tribute ended with a screening of the remastered version of The Baker’s Wife (1938) as part of the Audiovisual Institute’s “Tout l’art du cinema” programme.

Festivities continue on 19-20 April with two performances of excerpts from Marcel Pagnol’s theatrical repertoire by Studio de Monaco at the Théâtre des Variétés.

The event was supported by the Prince’s Government (Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Education, Youth and Sport) and brought together, with the Archives of the Prince’s Palace and the Audiovisual Institute, the Prince Pierre Foundation, Studio de Monaco, the Monaco Multimedia Library, and the Monte Carlo Television Festival, of which Marcel Pagnol was the first Jury President in 1961.

S.A.S. le Prince Albert II entouré de Nicolas Pagnol - Thomas Fouilleron - Vincent Vatrican © Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali