Saïd Taghmaoui went to meet students from the Paul Verlaine college in Les Mureaux to make them aware of reading

What if, to fight against illiteracy and get the greatest number of people interested in reading again, we used the works of well-known artists? This idea, imagined by the association Reading for allseduced Saïd Taghmaoui, who went to present his book, From “La Haine” to Hollywood (Editions Cherche-Midi), to 4th graders from the Paul Verlaine college in Les Mureaux, not far from Paris. “I was offered to go to Cyril Hanouna at the same time. I didn’t even think about it, I preferred to go to the field, see the students, because it’s going to be a human adventure and memories for everyone, ”he explained to Cover Media.

The meeting took place the day before the Easter holidays. Faced with students as attentive as they are passionate, the one who is also a member of the Academy of Oscars told his personal story. A journey that begins in Aulnay-sous-Bois for those who made themselves known thanks to Hatred in 1995 and today pursues his career in Hollywood in blockbusters, such as wonder woman and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellumwhile taking care of the Essaouira Darna orphanage in Morocco.

An enriching meeting for all

This day enriched the students as well as the actor, who was delighted with the experience. “The tragedy of humanity is ignorance. It’s not about not having money, and that’s what I explained to them. I tried to show them another color. Even notoriety. When they say ”Oh that’s great, we want to be famous, we want to be like you”. Being famous means nothing and it’s even very complicated. It brings madness, imbalance, vanity, all those horrible things that make it hard for you to build yourself as a human being. Being recognized for what you do is different. I wanted to give them another vision of things, an honest vision, because I lived it in my flesh”, adds the actor who was also “tremendously touched” by “their smiles and the fact that they made the effort to read the book.

Before receiving Saïd Taghmaoui, the establishment has indeed prepared a reading sheet on his book, an essential condition to allow the exchange between the students and the artist. The association Reading for all continues its action throughout the year with this unconventional principle, but which works, and supports the Festival Des Livres, Des Artistes, which will take place this year in Paris, outdoors at the Mail Branly in the 7th arrondissement on July 2 and 3 .