Cognac European Literature Festival

The Cognac European Literature Festival, known as the LEC Festival (Littératures Européennes Cognac), is an annual cultural event held in Cognac, France, celebrating the richness of European literature. Launched in 1988 to mark the centenary of Jean Monnet’s birth, a Cognac native and key figure in European unity, the festival takes place over the third weekend of November, from Thursday to Sunday. It brings together writers, illustrators, translators, journalists, and artists from across Europe for debates, readings, exhibitions, and workshops, fostering dialogue between authors and the public. Each year features a different European country or region a diverse program that includes a grand European bookstore, youth activities, and literary awards like the Jean Monnet Prize, making Cognac a vibrant literary hub.