Jules Verne was born on February 8 of 1828, in Nantes, France, into a well-off family. His father, a lawyer, expected him to follow in his footsteps, but Jules had other dreams. From a young age, he was fascinated by exploration and adventure, often imagining distant lands and incredible journeys. At 11, he even attempted to run away and become a cabin boy on a ship headed for India! This adventurous spirit, though tamed by his parents, remained with him for life. In his early twenties, Verne moved to Paris to study law, fulfilling his father’s wishes. However, he soon became captivated by literature and theatre, making friends with influential writers and playwrights. Verne’s passion for the arts led him to pursue writing full-time, despite family pressure. He married Honorine de Viane in 1857, a widow with two daughters, and settled in Amiens. They had a son, Michel, with whom Verne shared his love for storytelling and adventure.
Interesting facts about Jules Verne:
Second Most-Translated Author
Jules Verne is the second most-translated author worldwide, just after Agatha Christie, with his works captivating readers in over 140 languages.
Father of Science Fiction
Verne is considered one of the founding figures of science fiction, inspiring generations with his visionary storytelling and scientific imagination.
A Tragic Accident
At the age of 58, Verne was shot in the leg by his own nephew during a sudden outburst. He survived but was left with a limp for the rest of his life.
Remarkable Predictions
Although Verne anticipated inventions like the submarine, helicopter, and even the Apollo 11 mission, he believed that science alone couldn’t solve society’s problems.
A Man of Few Travels
Despite writing extensively about extraordinary voyages, Verne rarely left France and preferred to explore through research and imagination.
Spanish Aversion
Verne avoided including Spanish characters in his novels, holding a personal bias against them, seeing them as lazy.
Legacy in Film
His adventurous tales have inspired 95 film adaptations, bringing his works to life on the big screen.
Honored on the Moon
A mountain on the far side of the Moon has been named “Crater Jules Verne” in his honor.
About the exhibition
The Jules Verne’s Exhibition takes place at IDEAL, the Digital Arts Center in Barcelona. Celebrating the bicentennial of Verne, this immersive exhibition, launched on September 20 of 2020, is the first large-scale immersive journey dedicated to literature and science, bringing Verne’s imagination to life in unprecedented ways.
This exhibition combines immersive rooms, virtual reality, the metaverse, and traditional exhibition spaces, offering visitors a rich and interactive exploration of Verne’s world. In the immersive hall, you can experience a stunning 3D film on an enormous screen over 1,000 square meters, surrounding you in Verne’s legendary adventures.
Each space is designed to let visitors delve deeply into Verne’s universe, where literature meets cutting-edge technology. From navigating the depths of the ocean to journeying to the center of the Earth, IDEAL’s exhibition invites you to see Verne’s vision through a digital lens, celebrating the adventurous spirit and scientific curiosity that defined his life and works. An unmissable experience for fans of literature, science, and innovative storytelling!
It Brings Art merchandising
Here are some of our featured products available in the shop:
Mug London Elephant
Hardcover Notebook Ciano Fern
Postcard Puzzle Map