For its 5th edition, this unique event invites you to discover today’s theatre and dive into the rich, diverse imaginations of authors, with a packed programme: distinctive performances, original formats, readings, a writing workshop, discussions, a banquet, and an evening where words and sounds weave a night of resonant stories. Created in collaboration with numerous partners, this event offers a joyful escape to explore writing from here and elsewhere.
Le Partage de midi
12:00 - 13:00 – Calade
Free entry
Meet the authors of La Récolte 2025.
La Récolte is an annual journal offering a glimpse into today’s theatrical writing. Its editorial committee consists of seven permanent reading groups spread across France, all dedicated to discovering, promoting, and supporting contemporary playwriting. Each issue invites an eighth reading committee to showcase eight plays and eleven authors.
The journal includes extensive excerpts from plays, interviews with their authors, response articles written by researchers, and portfolios presenting the work of visual artists. It also features two critical sections to reflect on writing.
With Marine Bedon, Pascal Brullemans, Édouard Elvis Bvouma, Raphaël Gautier, Lauriane Goyet, Shiho Kasahara, Marie Lacroix, Théo Perrache
Moderated by Matthieu Mevel
In the presence of Elise Blaché and Simon Grangeat, co-editors-in-chief of La Récolte
In partnership with La Récolte – Revue des comités de lectures de théâtre
Contxto
12:00 - 14:00 – La Mouette
By reservation
A key moment for the international network dedicated to the translation and dissemination of Francophone dramatic texts, featuring member meetings, presentations of translated texts, and encounters with three authors.
With Léonore Confino, Penda Diouf, David Lescot
In partnership with the Institut français and SACD
Reservations: invitation@artcena.fr
Mystery Readings
14:00 – BnF
By reservation
Book a blind date with words and let yourself be carried away by an excerpt from a dramatic text read by its author. You'll only discover the title and identity at the end!
In partnership with AF&C / Avignon Off Festival and the BnF
Youth Narratives 1/2
14:30 - 15:30 – Studio
By reservation
Discover the diversity of contemporary youth voices! Professionally performed, these varied stories by young people aged 15 to 25 come to life on stage. Led by Jeunes Textes en Liberté and the Scène nationale de l’Essonne, this collaborative project brought together youth groups, label-winning authors, and cultural institutions of the Essonne, guiding them through a creative process to give life to their stories. Nine texts emerged from these encounters—a kaleidoscope of today’s youth. Hear selected pieces by Béatrice Bienville, Jamila Bensaci, Charlotte Buosi, Leïla Cassar, Edith Delarue, Penda Diouf, Elio Jacquel, Eric Maniengui, and Esteban Okbi.
Directed by Anthony Thibault.
With Claire Barrabès, Maly Diallo, Yassine Harrada, Blade Mc Alimbaye, Mélody Pini, Anthony Thibault
Project by Jeunes Textes en Liberté and Scène nationale de l’Essonne
In partnership with Les Bords de Scènes, Théâtre intercommunal d’Étampes, Espace Marcel Carné, Théâtre Sénart – Scène nationale, Scène de recherche – ENS Paris-Saclay, Le Silo, MJC-CS Jacques Tati – Orsay, Théâtre de Corbeil-Essonnes
Supported by ARTCENA and Fondation La Poste
De l’archive créatrice
14:30 - 18:30 – BnF
By reservation
Take part in a writing workshop with Léonore Confino using BnF archives about past Avignon Festival performances.
In partnership with the BnF
NRF Debate
16:30 - 17:30 – Studio
By reservation
In partnership with La Nouvelle Revue Française
RESERVATION TO COME
Lectures Cabine
17:00 - 17:30 & 18:00 - 18:30 – La Mouette
By reservation
The "Lectures Cabine" by La Commune are a setup where an author reads their text inside a soundproof cabin placed on stage. Two performers, equipped with earpieces, hear the text live and simultaneously translate it to the audience.
This setup creates intense focus on the text, alongside tension, humor, or even discomfort. It’s a unique shared reading experience between authors, actors, and the audience.
Reading #1: To be announced
Reading #2: To be announced
Produced by La Commune, National Dramatic Center of Aubervilliers
Co-produced by ARTCENA
RESERVATION TO COME
Banquet des auteurs
20:00 - 21:30 – Calade
By reservation
Are you a professional author? Join us for a convivial and festive break—a moment for networking and enriching encounters, where the joy of being together is shared over a drink.
In partnership with SACD
RESERVATION: invitation@artcena.fr
Mille et un mots
22:00 - Midnight – Calade
Free entrance
A night, words. Words sprung from our shifting languages—tender, sharp. Words blazing or whispered, waving like flags or flickering like sparks, shaking up the world’s grammar. Eight authors seize them, make them resonate, and build stories that speak to a world in transition.
Accompanied by live music, this evening invites us to listen, share, and feel. Echoing the choice of Arabic as the guest language of the Avignon Festival, Mille et un mots nods to the One Thousand and One Nights—where each story is a form of resistance, a way to postpone the end, to prolong life. A suspended night, at the crossroads of story and sound, between personal and collective narratives.
With Marcos Caramés Blanco, Agathe Charnet, Théophile Dubus, Raphaël Gautier, Vanasay Khamphommala, Iris Laurent, David Lescot, Lydie Tamisier
Live music by Sébastien Martel
Co-produced with Théâtre Ouvert – National Center for Contemporary Dramaturgies
Production
With technical support from Radio Radio
With the complicity of the librairie du Festival