Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt Belgian playwright and writer Date of Birth: 28.03.1960 Country: Belgium

1. Biography of Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
2. Early Works and The Visitor
3. Exploring a Variety of Themes
4. International Recognition and Religious Exploration

Biography of Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt is a Belgian playwright and writer who has gained worldwide recognition for his exceptional talent displayed in every line of his works. Translated into over 40 languages and performed in 50 countries, Schmitt's fame has long surpassed his homeland, serving as a testament to the quality of his creations.

Born in Alsace, Schmitt was raised as an atheist by his parents but later converted to agnosticism and then Christianity. He studied in Lyon and Paris, where he successfully completed his doctoral dissertation on philosophy and metaphysics at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure. Schmitt taught at Cherbourg and the University of Chambéry for three years before embarking on his literary career.

Early Works and The Visitor

Schmitt's literary career began with his work for the theater. His first play, "La nuit de Valognes" ("Night in Valognes"), premiered in France and abroad in 1991 and 1992. However, it was his production of "Le Visiteur" ("The Visitor") that brought him true acclaim in the theatrical world. For this play, Schmitt received the Molière Award for "Best Author" and "Best Performance." His subsequent works, such as "Golden Joe," "Variations énigmatiques" ("Enigmatic Variations"), "Le Libertin" ("The Libertine"), "Milarepa," "Frédérick ou Le Boulevard du Crime" ("Frédérick or The Boulevard of Crime"), "L'Hôtel des Deux Mondes" ("The Hotel of Two Worlds"), and "Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran" ("Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Quran"), were equally successful.

Exploring a Variety of Themes

Schmitt's works cover a wide range of themes. In "Golden Joe," he delves into the cynical outlook on life often associated with high financiers. In "Enigmatic Variations," he presents two vastly different men discussing their views on life and love, revealing that they are both in love with the same woman. In the historical drama "The Libertine," Schmitt explores the life of the great philosopher Denis Diderot, which was later adapted into a film in 2000. Schmitt received the grand prize from the French Academy in 2001 for his contributions to the theater.

International Recognition and Religious Exploration

Since 2002, Schmitt has resided in Brussels, where he even obtained Belgian citizenship in 2008. His plays have been translated into 40 different languages and performed in over 50 countries, solidifying his global reputation. Schmitt's works show the influence of Samuel Beckett, Jean Anouilh, and Paul Claudel. Moreover, his literary achievements include a series of captivating novels and short stories such as "La Secte des Égoïstes" ("The Egoists' Sect"), "Oscar et la dame rose" ("Oscar and the Pink Lady"), "L'Évangile selon Pilate" ("The Gospel According to Pilate"), "La Part de l'Autre" ("The Alternative Hypothesis"), "Lorsque j'étais une œuvre d'art" ("When I Was a Work of Art"), and "L'enfant de Noé" ("The Noah's Children"). Throughout his literary works, Schmitt demonstrates a profound interest in religious matters. In his "Cycle of the Invisible," he attempts to find harmony between existing religions and global cultures. The first part of this cycle, "Milarepa," explores Tibetan Buddhism. The second part, "Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran," examines Sufism, a branch of Islam, while also touching on Judaism. "Oscar et la dame rose" discusses Christianity, and "L'enfant de Noé" delves into Judaism and Christianity. The cycle concludes with "Le Sumo qui ne pouvait pas grossir" ("The Sumo Wrestler Who Could Not Gain Weight"), a work that explores Zen Buddhism.