Maryse Baribeau

From 1984 until very recently, Maryse Baribeau held two positions simultaneously: one, as general manager of the poetry press Écrits des Forges and the other as general manager of the International Poetry Festival of Trois-Rivières. In August 2005, however, she left her position at Écrits des Forges to devote all of her time to running the festival.

Baribeau holds a degree in Genagogy from the University of Quebec at Trois Rivières, where she specialized in the study of groups, their organization, and interventions conducted among them. For nearly 25 years, she has offered workshops throughout Quebec, and is highly recognized for her expertise in the field of customer service and public relations. Her skills in organization, hosting, and team management are surely responsible for making poets and visitors alike feel welcome in the Poetry Capital of the World.

Bellemare’s business partner from the get-go, Baribeau is co-founder of l’École Nationale de Poésie, and is responsible for the logistics and orientation of the festival.

Taking an active role in her surroundings, Baribeau sits on the Board of Directors of various organizations, including the Corporation for the Cultural Development of Trois Rivières, the Office of Tourism of Trois Rivières, and on that of “Women and Entrepreneurship in St. Maurice County.”

In 2006, she received Ordre de La Vérendrye of Trois-Rivières. This is the highest distinction awarded in Trois-Rivières. This award was established by the town council to highlight the exemplary action of people contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of their fellow citizens as well as their contribution to the glare of their city.

Maryse Baribeau is a woman with heart; not surprisingly, she is also the heart of the Trois Rivières International Poetry Festival.