Marc Levy, one of France's most celebrated contemporary authors, recently visited Warsaw in the context of the French Touch Gala, an event showcasing French culture,

products, fashion, food, and music. The gala's ninth edition will culminate in a grand spectacle at the Grand Theatre in the Polish capital, featuring a lineup of Polish and French artists. Notably, the world-renowned Parisian cabaret Moulin Rouge is set to make its second appearance in Poland as part of the event.

Levy, a prolific writer whose books have been translated into 50 languages, including Polish, has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. His popularity extends even to Russia, where he is among the most cherished non-Russian authors. His latest book, "La Symphonie des monstres" (The Symphony of Monsters), was released on October 17 and is set in Ukraine, portraying events immediately following the Russian invasion in February of the previous year.

During his visit to Warsaw, Marc Levy engaged in a press briefing at the Maison Sisley Institute, held on October 25, 2023. He discussed his latest book, which delves into the harrowing reality of the Ukrainian people amid the invasion by Russian forces. It is a story that transcends borders, revealing the human cost of the conflict.

The author acknowledged the considerable impact of his book, emphasizing the importance of shedding light on the truth amidst the various narratives propagated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Levy stated, "I think among all the lies that Vladimir Putin has spread all over the world ... sometimes his madness makes him believe they are true. But his plan has never been anything different than genocide of the Ukrainian people. This story was important to tell because it is proof of what his true intentions are. Maybe this story is going to change a few minds, who knows?"

While Levy's book is already available in the Russian language online for free, the Polish version is currently in development, with plans for publication in the first quarter of 2024. The author's work continues to draw global attention to the plight of Ukraine and the impact of the conflict. Photo by ActuaLitté, Wikimedia commons.