The traditional Liars Festival takes place today, from 10:30 a.m.
Since 1748, Moncrabeau has been nothing more than a small town in the south of Lot-et-Garonne. It is the world capital of liars. Every first Sunday in August, with its Académie des Menteurs, it perpetuates an old Gascony tradition with the Festival des Menteurs. During this event, the public present will elect the “King of Liars”.
A tradition almost three centuries old
“Stone of Truth, 1748” is the inscription that can be read above the famous Liars’ Chair, a stone throne located on Place de la Halle. It was at this time that the future tradition took shape. In the 18th century, idle bourgeois would get together to tell each other rumors or pass on information about current events, cultures, the priest, etc., to pass the time. Sometimes, some people, running out of stories, would invent some from scratch. The best one was the funniest and most plausible at the same time. History was in the making.
Soon after, they came up with the idea of inviting people to come together to tell the best lies, and to award burlesque diplomas to those who agreed to sit in the liars’ chair. Today, the one who tells the best lie is crowned King (or Queen) of Liars.
The lie consists of a speech mixing truth, lies and humor, which must last five to eight minutes, and which can be heard by any audience. Please note that any political or religious speech is not accepted. Any lie told on the day of the festival becomes the property of the Academy of Liars. They will be collected in the collection of lies at the Academy secretariat.
For about sixty years, the idea of this festival has seduced the city of Namur, in Brittany, which has since crowned Presidents of the Republic of Liars. In Lot-et-Garonne, two liars are exceptions and stand out from the others: Pierre Gallio, who was elected King in 2000, 2005, 2006 and 2015, as well as Nicole, the first Queen of Liars, elected in 2013.
Vote for the best lie today
Today, get ready for a festival of lies in Moncrabeau. With its hundred or so visitors, you can discover this capital of lies in the heart of a very festive atmosphere. From 10:30 this morning, discover Gascon folk dancing with the local troupe, Les Cabris d’Albret. A gourmet market will be held all day long.
At 3pm, the international lying competition will begin on the Place de la Halle. After about 3.5 hours of stories of all kinds, the future King or Queen will be named. His or her coronation, as well as the evening gourmet market, will be hosted by the Banda Les Diam’s.
If you covet the crown of the next edition, know that any adult whose lie has been retained by the Academy can be a candidate for the title of King. Take out your pen and have fun telling your best lie, or simply come and lend a curious ear in a moment of celebration.
