Georges Simenon on show at the Modernissimo
Ph: Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, da Wikimedia Commons
Entitled “Georges Simenon. Otto viaggi di un romanziere” (Georges Simenon. Eight Journeys of a Novelist) is the exhibition that will be on display in Bologna at Galleria Modernissimo from April until February 2026. In fact, the exhibition itinerary branches out into a veritable voyage of discovery of the famous Belgian writer, famous for his detective stories starring Inspector Maigret and for his sophisticated author’s novels.
There will in fact be eight sections to explore as in a narrative path that goes from Liège, the novelist’s birthplace, to Paris, the place where his production was more active and frenetic than ever. Just as the author was accustomed to living on a boat and travelling through the most picturesque countries in Europe, so too the visitor will be able to navigate with his imagination through the rooms, immersed in the suggestions offered and thus traversing the history of the late 19th and early 20th century.
Numerous exhibits are on display: manuscripts of his most famous novels, cult objects such as pipes and writing material, public and private photo albums, and correspondence with the great cultural figures of the time such as Truffaut, Fellini and Miller. The exhibition, curated by Gian Luca Farinelli and the novelist’s son, John Simenon, is located in the heart of the city in Piazza Maggiore, just a few steps from Galleria Cavour, in the exhibition wing of the Cinema Modernissimo complex, a jewel recently inaugurated and reopened to the public after precious restoration and qualification work.
“There are few writers who, like him, have created a world of stories, but above all of characters and atmospheres so imaginative, so capable of inspiring the imagination of directors, scriptwriters and audiovisual producers.” With these words, the curators invite citizens and tourists alike to immerse themselves in the universe of this literary prodigy whose output continues to live on in the hearts of his many readers.
Ph: Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, da Wikimedia Commons