A look back to the literary meeting with Séphora Pondi accompanied by Saint-Germain-en-Laye's Library

 On Wednesday 19th November 2025, the Saint-Germain-en-Laye's library had the pleasure to host the literary meeting with Séphora Pondi (writer, comedian, intern at the Comédie Française)

Héloïse Landois, Joséphine Taverne, Danai Loukakos, et Rémi Rondouin, students who participated in the workshop led by Sébastien Thème (teacher, editor in chief, cultural journalist) interviewed Séphora Pondi.  They discussed her last novel Avale and its creation process.  

The following subjects were tackled during this interview :  

• The question of the oral nature of the novel and of orality in the novel,
• The antagonism of the two main characters, 
• The question of the body, its role in the novel, and how its constant gnawing itch reflects what society inflicts on it,
• The question of the literary genre of the novel and of the style used by the author  
• Séphora Pondi's influences (role models, cinematographic, literary and musical references,
• Questions on Séphora Pondi's life as a writer, the place of the writing process in her daily life, 
• The question of Séphora Pondi's relationship with her characters,  
• The question of the readings and literary epiphanies that shaped Séphora Pondi, 
• Her journey until she became a sucessful candidate to the Comédie Française, her relationship to showlife, the dramatization of the play Bestioles, her part in the movie    Fragments for Venus directed by Alice Diop,
• Her message to the young debuting artists, 

The discussions unfolded in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere. The audience could listen the wholehearted, honest and chiseled accounts of and author who picks her words with delight. The audience could also listen to some extracts from the novel. 

Here are a few pictures and videos taken during the event. 

This meeting was organised with the cooperation of Saint-Germain-en-Laye library, Science Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye and France Culture. We wish to warmly thank the students who volunteered to help for the setting of the room.. 

In cas you registered for the Roman des étudiants France Culture prize, don't forget to vote for your favourite novel before the 30th of November. 

Here is a little reminder of the novels competing for the prize. 

• Au grand jamais by Jakuta Aliavazovic
• Peau d'ourse by Grégory Le Floch
• Avale by Séphora Pondi 
• L'entroubli by Thibault Daelman
• Les forces by Laura Vazquez