Le dossier de presse - Musée des lettres et manuscrits

PRESS PACK
9
III. THE EXHIBITION ROUTE
With the notable exception of the Simenon Collection of the University of Liège (which contributed
scientifi cally to this exhibition, particularly in regard to the writer life), the Museum of letters
and manuscripts of Brussels owns the most important collection of works and manuscripts
of the author from Liège.
The exhibition, whose exhibition curator is Jean-Christophe Hubert, will be composed of eight parts
presented below.
A childhood in Liège and the departure to Paris
This fi rst part of the exhibition called “A childhood in Liège and the departure to Paris” presents a letter
from painter Vlaminck dated from 24 March 1934 which deals with the Stavisky case, in which the painter
talks about “Simenon in search of Prince’s murderers” and adds “There is here something that I don’t
like. The real policemen, those who make the nasty job to earn a living, have to take a dim view of it,
and the murderers have to think that Simenon must mind his own business, that is to say, writing books”.
In fact, Simenon, then a journalist in Paris where he meets with artists such as Vlaminck, Picasso, Max
Jacob and Joséphine Baker (with whom he would have one of the most extramarital relationships that
has brighten up his home life), took an interest in the mysterious Stavisky case, and led, quite badly, an
investigation following the suicide of the swindler and the suspicious death of Albert Prince, on behalf of
the newspaper Paris-Soir. Tricked by informers from this background, he published articles that could
not be taken seriously and did not come out of this investigative journalism experience.
Georges Simenon and Liège
From the beginning of the Simenon's career and throughout the latter, many documents showed the
close links that he kept with his hometown, and particularly his consideration for his mother, his regular
returns in Liège, his interest for the town and his friends from this place.
Georges Simenon and Tigy Renchon
In the part dedicated to “Georges Simenon and Tigy Renchon”, we discover a letter from Régine Renchon,
"Tigy", sent to her brother Yvan, who would regularly be responsible for his brother-in-law's business and
editions (the relation between both men were closed, as witnessed by the numerous letters preserved
in the Museum of letters and manuscripts).
In March 1923, Simenon married Régine Renchon, whom he met inside a more or less fringed artists'
group, in the church Sainte-Véronique of Liège. The religious ceremony was precipitated and Simenon
took the train to Paris on the same evening with "Tigy". His wife's presence next to him reassures Simenon
who called her a crash barrier who prevented him from sinking into excess. The short stories that he
wrote every night (often two or three), were quickly a success. Tigy has accompanied Simenon for many
years, and particularly those that were marked by the beginning of his great success.