Festival's origins and purpose

The New Romance Festival was created to enhance the experience of reading new romance books by bringing readers and authors together in person. Organized by Hugo Publishing and managed by its event company, Hugo Events, the festival aims to create a community around the genre.

Annual event with growing popularity

The festival has been held every year since 2016 and will take place this year in Lille at the Grand Palais from October 29 to November 1. According to Arthur de Saint-Vincent, founder of Hugo Publishing, the event has grown significantly since its early days.

Event's evolution and scale

Initially, the festival featured 500 readers and 20 authors under a tent, but it now attracts 5,000 attendees, with a waiting list of 15,000 people. The event has expanded to larger venues, such as Zénith spaces of 10,000 square meters, and has a production budget of around 600,000 euros.

Funding and financial model

Passes priced between 55 and 145 euros, which grant access to all events including a festive evening on Saturday, help cover costs. Revenue from the festival's bookstore also contributes to the event’s finances. De Saint-Vincent noted that while the event earns less money than expected, it remains a key differentiator for the publishing house.

Future plans for the festival

The festival, which has been itinerant until now, could settle in one city for the next ten years to allow for better planning. However, the specific city where the festival might be based has not yet been announced.