Photo : copTable ronde Editions/ Woolf
Meeting around the book "Baisers du singe" by Virginia Woolf in the presence of Editions La Table Ronde
Come discover this new publication of texts by Virginia Woolf: a part of her correspondence with her sister Vanessa Bell at the beginning of the 20th century. The editorial team will present this selection of letters and help you discover the background.
Médiathèque Virginia Woolf (Paris 13th)
About
From 1904 to 1941, Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell wrote to each other almost daily. Their letters recount the beginnings of the Bloomsbury Group, the war years, and the joys of artistic and literary achievement. But above all, they are the letters of two emancipated women who share in intimacy their questions about love, motherhood, and social conventions, commenting on the intellectual and political life of their time, without excluding the daily worries and gossip they loved. Each appears as the other's beacon, blending the tenderness of sisterhood with broader reflections on creation.
A selection of two hundred and fifteen letters that form an unpublished cross-correspondence.
- Preface: Cécile Wajsbrot
- Translation (English): Carine Bratzlavsky, Anne-Marie Smith-Di Biasio
The bookstore Les caractères Les Caractères Paris - Booking of paper and digital books will be present for the sale of the work.
Our take on this event
Step into the private world of Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell for an intimate literary gathering that brings their legendary correspondence to life. Discover the unfiltered thoughts, gossip, and creative ambitions of two artistic pioneers who defined an era of intellectual freedom.
Join us at the Virginia Woolf Library on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 15:00 to 17:00, for an exclusive literary gathering centered on the book Baisers du singe. This event explores the private correspondence between Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell, featuring two hundred and fifteen letters that chronicle their artistic journey and deep personal bond. This session is designed for adults aged 18 and over. Admission is free, subject to venue capacity. The location is fully accessible, including facilities for those with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities, and features support in sign language.
Experience a special presentation of Baisers du singe in the company of the publisher, Éditions La Table Ronde. Spanning from 1904 to 1941, the letters between Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell reveal their daily lives, the rise of the Bloomsbury Group, and their candid thoughts on motherhood, politics, and the creative process. This unpublished collection, prefaced by Cécile Wajsbrot and translated by Carine Bratzlavsky and Anne-Marie Smith-Di Biasio, highlights the profound sisterly connection that fueled their intellectual evolution.
The event takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 15:00 to 17:00, at the Virginia Woolf Library in the 13th arrondissement. It is free for all adults to attend. The bookstore Les Caractères will be on-site, offering both physical and digital editions of the book. The venue is committed to inclusivity, providing full wheelchair access and specific adaptations for visitors with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments, including the use of sign language.
