THE RULES OF THE GAME: JUSTICE, POWER AND DEMOCRACY
For its 23rd edition, Quais du Polar has chosen to place justice, power and democracy at the heart of its programme. A choice that echoes the very essence of crime fiction: to investigate, to judge, to expose the flaws in a system, and to shed light on what resists.
The 40th anniversary of the Klaus Barbie trial, which left its mark on the history of Lyon, will serve as a reminder of the essential role of justice in the face of the most serious crimes and the need to remain vigilant against racist and anti-Semitic excesses.
The legal crime novel explores in detail the mechanisms of justice, but also its limitations. What happens when it fails? Why does the temptation to take the law into one’s own hands arise? Another reality runs through these stories: that of social injustice. Are opportunities truly equal for all? Who pays the price? These imbalances raise broader questions about our relationship with justice.
Throughout the festival, these questions will be discussed with those who bring justice to life on a daily basis: institutions, professionals and local stakeholders. Together with its many partners, Quais du Polar will provide a space for concrete reflection on the practices and challenges of justice, alongside the fiction.
And in 2027, a year of presidential elections in France, these questions will take on particular significance. What is the relationship between justice and democracy? Does power still lie with the people, and if so, in what way? These questions extend far beyond our borders, as demonstrated in particular by political developments in the United States.
Exploring ‘The Rules of the Game’ means questioning the very foundations of our societies: who sets the rules, who enforces them, and are they still accepted by everyone?

Find out all about our previous editions and all the authors who have attended the festival.