I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1405 European Theatre Festival

Joseph smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I only put forward some 'simple' ideas; all the specific experiments were carried out by Mr. Cullen and Mr. Volt. Therefore, if the High Louis Prize is awarded, this honor should rightfully belong to them as well."

If he were interested in winning awards, he could monopolize all the prizes of the Louis XII for decades, which would defeat the purpose of setting up the award.

Upon hearing this, both Kuren and Volt looked at the Crown Prince with immense gratitude, but then the latter sighed softly and said:
"For the physics prize, the Royal Laboratory alone has many strong contenders."

Cullen nodded: "Mr. Thomas Young proved through the double-slit interference experiment that light is a wave."

"Mr. Benjamin Thompson's drilling experiments refuted the existence of calorific value..."

Yes, these are names that Joseph is very familiar with, and they have all come to France through talent recruitment programs.

Of course, part of the reason is that the UK's economic situation is deteriorating, making fewer and fewer people willing to fund purely theoretical research.

As for the United States and Germany, a trend of "going to Paris to realize scientific dreams" has emerged—indeed, many scientists who were previously frustrated have made a name for themselves after coming to France, creating a huge demonstration effect.

As early as the end of last year, nearly 60 villas in the Palais des Grandes d'Universitaires, which were specially prepared for high-end talents, had been completely allocated, so the talent committee had to buy a large plot of land in the northern suburbs of Paris to build new houses.

Queen Marie Antoinette invited the two electrical masters to dessert and happily spent 3 francs to order 14 electric bells for Versailles Palace before personally seeing them off from the Petit Trianon.

Immediately, Joseph, in the bright sunshine, took his parents for a jog and began to talk to Queen Mary about the "European Theatre Festival" two months later:

"Yes, more than 40 countries have already confirmed their participation, including Ottoman theater troupes..."

"The Tuileries Palace only needs simple setup, mainly setting up a few stages. As you know, the guest rooms and facilities from Fashion Week can still be used..."

Queen Mary, panting, said, "My dear, do you really need me to play a role?"

Joseph smiled and nodded: "The reason why the drama festival has such a great influence is because people have heard that you will be performing in it. And the Royal Theatre Company can't do without you."

This is also a new event launched by Joseph to expand France's soft power.

The top three prizes are as high as 2, 5 and 10 francs respectively. There are also awards for screenwriting, best actor and actress, best supporting actor and actress, best score, best set design and so on, with generous prize money.

Furthermore, the festival committee will reimburse all participants' travel expenses and provide free food and lodging, which is a truly generous investment.

Of course, huge investments can also yield huge returns.

First, France was to establish its "central position" in the cultural sphere across Europe.

No matter which country your work is from, if you want to become famous and gain recognition, you have to come to Paris.

Secondly, France will gain the right to define culture through theater—in which France is already in a leading position.

Although the festival's jury comes from many countries, the opinions of the French jury are undoubtedly the most important. In other words, a play that receives the approval of the French jury will be recognized as an excellent play in Europe.

Those award-winning plays will inevitably be staged repeatedly in various countries, and their plots will subtly influence people in those countries. This is also a common trope used by Hollywood in later generations.

When all the dramas people see depict the French saving the world, everyone will subconsciously retain the concept that France is the savior.

Finally, no matter which country's theater company comes to Paris for the festival, your play must be in French, otherwise you probably won't even be able to sell tickets.

Not to mention that French judges are unlikely to give high scores to plays in other languages.

This will further promote the spread of French.

Moreover, according to Joseph's estimate, although the cost of holding a theater festival seems high, at least half of it can be recouped through ticket revenue sharing.

Including income from accommodation, catering, props and costumes during the festival, as well as revenue from product placement in the plays, the actual cost is estimated to be only a few hundred thousand francs.

As the festival's influence continues to grow, and with the signing of touring contracts with award-winning theater companies, it might even become profitable.

In fact, Queen Marie Antoinette loved participating in theatrical performances—she was the one who trained the Royal Theatre Company at Versailles Palace, and she often performed on stage at the court theatre.

She immediately agreed earnestly, saying, "Darling, I think the story of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' that you told me before was very wonderful."

"I plan to have Mr. Beaumarchais adapt it into a play; it's sure to captivate all audiences..."

While Joseph and his mother were discussing the theater festival, a discussion about France was taking place at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

"...That's roughly the situation regarding the French House of Representatives election." Kobbutz closed the document in his hand and bowed to Franz II. "Your Majesty, the relevant news has not yet reached Vienna, but I believe that this matter will most likely cause quite a stir in the country."

The Emperor of Shinra frowned and said, "I really don't understand what my dear cousin is thinking."
"With France's political situation so stable, there's absolutely no need for him to grant rights to ordinary people!"

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

But he had no idea that the more far-reaching the change, the more it should be implemented when the country is stable.

Otherwise, what we will get is not an orderly change, but a cataclysmic destruction like "Mars colliding with Earth"!

Franz II then looked at the assembled ministers: "We must formulate a strategy to deal with this before the effects are felt. What suggestions do you have?"

Kobtzel began, “Your Majesty, the books of Voltaire and Montesquieu are now circulating widely among the people, and with the current influence of Paris, perhaps you should make some gestures to calm people down.”

Franz II said with a dark face, "Hmph! Are we going to start some kind of House of Representatives too?"

Kobutzl hurriedly said, "The so-called parliament is just a name; its actual power can be limited to a very small scope."

“As long as those businessmen and lawyers feel that they have gained something similar to the French, they will stop causing trouble.”

(End of this chapter)