Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1499 - 1405: Europe Drama Festival

Chapter 1499: Chapter 1405: Europe Drama Festival

Joseph smiled and waved his hand, saying, “I only proposed some ’simple’ ideas, and all the specific experiments were completed by Mr. Kullen and Mr. Volta. So, if the Supreme Louis Award can be obtained, this honor should also belong to them.”

If he were interested in winning the award, he might monopolize all the Supreme Louis Awards for decades. In that case, it would negate the purpose of establishing the award.

Kullen and Volta, upon hearing this, looked at the Crown Prince with immense gratitude, but then the latter sighed slightly and said:

“As for the physics award, there are quite a few strong contenders in the Royal Laboratory alone.”

Kullen nodded: “Mr. Thomas Young has demonstrated through the double-slit interference experiment that light is a wave.

“Mr. Benjamin Thompson’s cannon boring experiment refuted the existence of caloric…”

Yes, these names that Joseph was very familiar with have now come to France through the talent acquisition program.

Of course, part of the reason is that the British economic situation has been deteriorating, leading to fewer and fewer people willing to fund pure theoretical research.

As for the United States and the Germanic region, there has formed a trend of “going to Paris to realize scientific dreams” — which indeed resulted in many previously unremarkable scientists making a name for themselves after coming to France, creating a tremendous demonstrative effect.

By the end of last year, nearly 60 villas specially prepared for high-end talents at the Great Scholar Palace had all been allocated, so much so that the talent committee had to purchase a large plot of land in the North Suburb of Paris to build new houses.

Queen Mary invited the two masters of electricity for dessert and happily spent 30,000 francs to order 14 electric bells for the Palace of Versailles before personally sending them off from the Petit Trianon Palace.

Subsequently, Joseph pulled his parents into a light jog under the bright sun and spoke to Queen Mary about the “European Theater Festival” happening in two months:

“Hmm, more than 40 countries have already confirmed participation, including the troupe from the Ottoman Empire…

“The Tuileries Palace’s venue only requires a bit of simple setup, mainly to construct a few stages. You know, the guest rooms and facilities for Fashion Week can still be used…”

Queen Mary panted and asked, “Do you really need me to play a role?”

Joseph nodded with a smile: “The drama festival can have such a significant influence precisely because people hear you will perform in person. Moreover, the Royal Theater Troupe cannot do without you.”

This was also a new event launched by Joseph to expand France’s soft power.

The prize money for the top three is as high as 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 francs, respectively, along with awards like “Best Script Award,” “Best Actor and Actress Award,” “Best Supporting Actor and Actress Award,” “Best Music Award,” “Best Set Design Award,” and so on, with substantial prizes.

Moreover, the festival committee will provide all participants with free travel and accommodation, indicating a big-budget investment.

Of course, such a huge investment can also yield a great return.

Firstly, it establishes France’s “core position” in cultural aspects throughout Europe.

No matter the origin of your work, to become famous and gain recognition, you must visit Paris.

Secondly, through theater, France will gain the right to define culture—something in which France already leads.

Although the festival judges come from many countries, undoubtedly, the opinions of the French judges matter the most. In other words, getting the nod from French judges means your play is recognized as excellent in Europe.

And those award-winning plays will inevitably be repeatedly performed in various countries, subtly influencing the people of those countries with their plots.

This has been a common tactic in future Hollywood as well.

When people see in every play the French saving the world, everyone subconsciously leaves with the impression that France is the savior.

Lastly, no matter which country’s troupe comes to Paris for the theater festival, your play must use French, right? Otherwise, it likely won’t even sell tickets.

Not to mention that it’s hard for plays in other languages to earn high scores from French judges.

This can further promote the spread of French.

According to Joseph’s estimation, although the expenditure for the theater festival seems enormous, at least half of it can be recovered through ticket sales.

Along with the income from accommodations, dining, props, and costumes during the festival, as well as the revenue from advertising placements in the plays, the actual cost may only be tens of thousands of francs.

Once the influence of the theater festival continues to expand, and tour contracts are signed with award-winning troupes, it might even become profitable in the future.

In fact, Queen Mary enjoys participating in theatrical performances; the Royal Theater Troupe at the Palace of Versailles was developed by her, and she often performs at the court theater.

She earnestly responded, “I think the story of ’The Count of Monte Cristo’ you told me before is very fascinating.

“I plan to have Mr. Bomasha adapt it into a script, surely it can captivate all audiences…”

While Joseph and his mother were discussing the theater festival, the topic of France was being discussed at the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna.

“…That is roughly the situation regarding the French House of Representatives election.” Kobutsel closed the file in his hand and bowed to Franz II, “Your Majesty, the related news hasn’t returned to Vienna yet, but I believe this matter will likely cause quite a stir domestically.”

The Emperor of Sanctum frowns, saying, “I really don’t understand what my dear cousin is thinking?

“The political situation in France is so stable, there’s simply no need to grant those common people any rights!”

Yes, in his view, implementing a bicameral system should only be a desperate measure when the situation is out of control, just like England back then.

But he doesn’t realize that the more far-reaching the reform, the more it must be pushed forward when the country is stable.

Otherwise, what you will get is not an orderly transformation, but a “collision of worlds” style of tearing and destruction!

Franz II looked at the ministers before him, “We must formulate a strategy before the impact occurs. What’s your advice?”

Kobutsel said, “Your Majesty, now that books by Voltaire and Montesquieu are widely circulated among the people, along with the influence brought by Paris, perhaps you also need to make some gestures to calm the people.”

Franz II said with a grim face, “Do we also have to create a House of Representatives or something?”

Kobutsel quickly said, “The so-called Congress is just a title; its actual powers can completely be restricted to a very small scope.

“As long as those merchants and lawyers feel they have obtained something similar to the French, they won’t cause any more trouble.”