The 33rd edition of the Nouvelles Rencontres d'Averroès kicked off in Marseille on October 28, 2026, and will run until November 1, 2026. This year's theme, "Franchir / s'affranchir," will be explored through various events, debates, and discussions. The event brings together individuals from different parts of the Mediterranean region to share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives.
One of the highlights of the event is the participation of Sabyl Ghoussoub, a French-Lebanese writer and journalist who won the Goncourt des lycéens prize in 2022 for his book "Beyrouth-sur-Seine." Ghoussoub will be discussing his latest book, "Mon imam," which explores themes of family, exile, and Lebanese heritage. His presence at the event will add a literary and political dimension to the discussions.
The event also features a partnership with L'Orient-Le Jour, a Lebanese French-language newspaper. The partnership will include several events and debates, as well as a "Bibliothèque bleue" section, which will showcase a selection of books. This cooperation will bring a journalistic perspective to the event, with a focus on the Middle East and the Arab world.
The Nouvelles Rencontres d'Averroès also include a number of events and debates that focus on the Mediterranean region and its cultural heritage. One of the events, "Habiter l'entre-deux," will bring together Ahmad Ashour, a Palestinian researcher, Albert Dichy, a literary advisor, and Laura Ruiz de Elvira, a political scientist. Another event will be dedicated to the philosopher Averroès, with discussions featuring Jean-Baptiste Brenet, Ziad Bou Akl, and Emmanuelle Tixier du Mesnil.
The event also pays tribute to Leïla Chahid, a Palestinian diplomat who passed away in February 2026. A special evening, "En l'absence de Leïla Chahid," will feature Suad Amiry, Majed Bamya, Simone Bitton, Dominique Eddé, Thierry Fabre, and Mohamed El Khatib. The evening will include music and poetry, with performances by Sary Khalifé and Walid Ben Selim.
The Rima Poésie Club, founded by Rima Abdul Malak, will also be part of the event. The club will feature a number of poets, including Maram Al-Masri, a Syrian poet exiled in France, Sofía Karámpali Farhat, from South Lebanon, and Mohammed Al Qudwa, a poet from Gaza. The poets will share the stage with Walid Ben Selim and Sary Khalifé.
The Nouvelles Rencontres d'Averroès will take place in several locations in Marseille, including the Théâtre de l'Odéon, the Espace Julien, the Mucem, and the Cepac Silo. The event aims to promote cultural exchange and understanding between different parts of the Mediterranean region, and to provide a platform for voices from the region to be heard.
Key points
- The 33rd edition of the Nouvelles Rencontres d'Averroès explores the theme "Franchir / s'affranchir" through various events and discussions.
- The event features a diverse range of participants, including writers, journalists, researchers, and poets from different parts of the Mediterranean region.
- The Nouvelles Rencontres d'Averroès aims to promote cultural exchange and understanding between different parts of the Mediterranean region.
