Retour sur images : Patrick Boucheron

Historian specialising in the Middle Ages and professor at the Collège de France, Patrick Boucheron is one of the leading voices in the dialogue between history, the arts and society. Convinced that knowledge is not confined to the academic sphere, he advocates a shared, critical and vibrant history that circulates amongst researchers, citizens, artists and cultural institutions, thereby asserting that the transmission of knowledge is a profoundly democratic act.

Patrick Boucheron maintains a fruitful dialogue with the theatre, which he regards as a privileged venue for knowledge transmission, and has for several years been exploring theatrical forms as spaces where thought can be expressed, shared and experienced in new ways. This approach finds particular resonance at the Avignon Festival, where he regularly takes part, notably as part of the Café des idées. There, he presents talks that blend historical research, critical thinking and public discourse. In Avignon, Patrick Boucheron turns history into a collective experience, where the past sheds light on the present and where the theatre becomes a space for civic reflection, open to all audiences.

To mark this anniversary edition, Patrick Boucheron has been invited to look back on the history of the festival and share his experiences, discoveries and personal favourites.

L’Aube des questions, a celebration organised by Patrick Boucheron, Aurélie Charon and Tiago Rodrigues to mark the 80thedition of the Festival d’Avignonon Sunday 26 July at 5am in the Cour d’honneur du palais des Papes.