Avignon, Ville des Langues

Driven by its ongoing commitment to building bridges between languages ​​and communities, the festival offers a diverse program blending performances, workshops, and informal exchanges. More than just an event, it establishes itself as a space for discovery and sharing where every language finds its place.
This festival, which is part of the Anglophone Spring (founded in 2013), is part of a dynamic of openness and complementarity with other festivals in the territory dedicated to languages, countries or regions.
Much more than a cultural event, the Ville des Langues festival aims to embrace the deep and multifaceted identity of Avignon and its surroundings, not only as a historical and artistic cradle, but also as a crossroads of voices and words. Here, every stone tells a story, and every language, whether inherited, imported, or recreated, composes the living score of the city.

You’ll find here:
– Tuesday, April 1st, from 11am to 14pm, South building of the Hannah Arendt-Avignon University campus: Opening – Activities
To kick off the festival, you are invited to a festive and participatory event:
• Multilingual competitions and quizzes (prizes to be won!)
• Mini-activities and surprise challenges
• Gathering the languages ​​of the city
• A friendly moment, open to everyone, to give voice to the plurality of perspectives that make up our city.

– Saturday, April 4th at 15 p.m., Association Études et Partage, 22 avenue de la Croix des Oiseaux: Arabic calligraphy workshop
A workshop to discover Arabic calligraphy in a free and accessible way. Participants will explore the basic strokes, the shapes of the letters, and the pleasure of writing slowly, without pressure or prerequisites. A moment of creation, concentration, and sharing, suitable for both children and adults.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – Price: €12.
Reservations can be made with the instructor: safaacalligraphyy@gmail.com / 07 68 12 37 32

– Sunday, April 5: Užupis is a day of sharing and exchange
A Sunday spent celebrating the Independent Republic of Užupis, the artists' quarter of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. As part of the "Avignon City of Languages ​​2026" festival, this utopian and poetic republic is coming to Avignon. On the program: sharing, exchange, good cheer, and… foreign languages!
In the presence of a delegation from Užupis
The Republic of Uzupis is a micronation, founded on April 1, 1998, by the inhabitants of the eponymous district of Vilnius, located in a bend of the Vilnia.

* At 10 a.m., at the Au Chapeau Rouge theater, 34-36 rue du Chapeau Rouge: Ceremony: Appointment of the new Ambassadors of Užupis
In the presence of Užupis's foreign minister, Tomas Chepaitis, one of the two authors of the constitution of this small self-proclaimed state, four new ambassadors will be appointed, adding to the list of fifty languages ​​into which the constitution has already been translated.
Free access within the limit of available places

* From 12pm to 19pm, Rocher des Doms garden: Opening in town – Activities
To kick off the festival, you are invited to a festive and participatory event.
• Entertainment
• Language collection
• At 15 p.m.: Multilingual Proclamation of the Constitution of Užupis
A republic must have a constitution: Užupis's has 41 points. This poetic, utopian, sometimes touching, but above all funny text is the very essence of this artistic neighborhood.
Speakers will take turns offering a unique experience: the same text proclaimed in 16 languages. Among them: Lithuanian, French, English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Finnish, Czech, Ch'timi, Gascon, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish, Arabic and Hungarian.
Do the same words, when translated, express the same ideas?
Do they resonate with the same seriousness?
As many interpreters as there are interpretations, they offer passersby, the curious, and language lovers a moment of poetry and lightness. You might be surprised to recognize a language you know well, or delighted to discover one you don't yet know.

– Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 April, Au Chapeau Rouge theatre: Marriage with a Stepladder – physical theatre
A woman alone on stage. She asks herself questions: is she the one who decides, or is everything already predetermined? Every choice, every hesitation, is like a line of dialogue. Saying "yes" or "no" can change everything. This play is about solitude, imagination, and choices. It blends seriousness and laughter, reality and absurdity, and unleashes a veritable polyphony of foreign languages ​​to explore what "yes" and "no" truly mean. And above all, it's a true comedy: a play where you laugh a lot, where absurd situations offer moments of lightness and pleasure. After all, who would have thought that a stepladder could become the best partner?
With excerpts from texts in Hungarian, German, Italian, English and French.
Prices: 16 € / 14 €

– Saturday, April 11 at 20:30 p.m., Le Rouge Gorge, Place de l'Amirande: Prince – The Only French Tribute
Two hours of live show: a tribute to Prince in Avignon
THE ONLY tribute concert to the great artist, the icon: PRINCE!
An exceptional 2-hour live show pays tribute to the legendary icon in a mythical Avignon venue.
On the program: the greatest hits that have marked the history of music – Purple Rain, Kiss, 1999, When Doves Cry and many more – performed live by Prince The Only French Tribute,
More than a concert, it's a true experience: a show that you dance to, that you watch, that you feel.
A contagious energy, intense emotions, a vibrant celebration of the work of an extraordinary artist.
Prices: Advance tickets: €12; On the door: €15

– Sunday, April 19th, starting at 14:30 pm, Au Chapeau Rouge theatre: Live Reading and Haiku Writing Workshop
A total immersion in the famous Japanese short form, the philosophy of the present moment, the contemplation of nature, inspiration and expression in a breath.
* 14:30 PM Haiku Reading
A reading experience to discover the richness and simplicity of haiku. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of calm and contemplation.
The haiku are read aloud to the public in Japanese and French, accompanied by short anecdotes that highlight the author's spirit, a specific haiku technique, or the underlying philosophy. By letting go of the need for comprehension, the flow of sensations is facilitated.
* 15:45 p.m. Writing workshop
In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to create their own poems inspired by the rules and techniques of haiku writing.
Open to all — beginners as well as established poets — this workshop offers the opportunity to play with the forms of haiku in order to stimulate creativity and explore writing in a friendly atmosphere.
Relaxation and kindness will be the key words for this moment of sharing. Those who wish to do so will be able to read one of their poems to the assembly.
Hosted by Philippe Bialade
Prices:
• Reading and workshop: Full price €15 / Concessionary price €10
• Reading only: Full price €10 / Concessionary price €8

– From Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th April at 20pm, Au Chapeau Rouge theatre: Evening of Stars
An evening under the stars, blending cosmic journeys and musical adventures: songs from around the world celebrating the moon, stars and planets, followed by the first unreleased act of the original operetta Gwendolyn, Warrior of the Stars.
Part One – Night Songs
Let yourself be transported by songs from around the world that explore the moon, the stars, and the planets. Our talented troupe speaks seven languages, and each melody will take you on a journey through different horizons.
Part Two – Gwendolyn, Warrior of the Stars, Act I
Discover the never-before-seen first act of the original operetta Gwendolyn, Warrior of the Stars. Follow a high school girl on a daring quest to save humanity from the virtual prison where Dark Medor and his technocratic henchmen have locked it away. This original comic operetta by Matthew Thurber, very loosely inspired by Star Wars, blends adventure, humor, and music.
Languages: French, English, Indonesian, Armenian.
Prices: 12 € / 9 €

– Sunday, April 26 at 17 p.m., Théâtre de la Porte Saint Michel, 23 rue Saint Michel: The Journey of the Birds
The birds decide to embark on a journey to find the true King.
One day, all the birds of the world gathered for a grand conference… to put an end to the quarrels that divided them. The hoopoe, renowned for her wisdom, proposed that they set out in search of "King Simorgh" so that he might reign once more over the kingdom and restore peace. But before leaving, she had to confront the birds' fears and excuses, hesitant to embark on this unknown journey. Finally, after a courageous trek—across a desert and seven symbolic valleys—only a few birds reached the valley where the King resided and discovered that he… was not quite who they thought he was.
In his famous political work, "The Conference of the Birds", Farid Ud Din Attar, a 12th-century Persian mystic poet, leads us, with poetry and humor, into his inner journey and tries to slip in some clues to allow us to follow his trail.
Follow the birds on this fantastic journey… and enter with them into the richness and wisdom of Persian culture.
Prices: 12 € / 7 €

– Friday, May 1st at 19:30 pm, Théâtre du Chapeau Rouge: Once upon a time…languages
Multilingual one-man show
A preview of the 2026 Off Festival
What if English, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Occitan, German, Portuguese, Italian, Swahili, and Russian were simply ingrained deep within us? What if humor and poetry were the keys to universal communication?
Drawing on stories belonging to the international collective memory, Robin Recours juggles words and shares a power, that of speaking a multitude of languages ​​during a show, remaining constantly understood by all.
Prices: 15 € / 10 €

– Saturday, May 2nd, from 11am to 17pm, Chico Mendes Park: Let's Open the World
Multilingual animations
When languages ​​meet, the world opens up!
All day long :
• Discover the linguistic web and share your favorite expression with us.
• Participate in the language collection of our city.
• Children's drawing competition (up to 12 years old) with vouchers from our partner bookstores to be won.
A jumble of languages
Short presentations of poetry, music, nursery rhymes, and texts in an assortment of languages. Each presentation will be accompanied by a short description in French, allowing everyone to appreciate the words and ideas of other cultures.
Free
Come and meet us on the lawn in front of the mill.

– Saturday, May 2nd at 19pm and Sunday, May 3rd at 16:30pm, Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Michel: William Blake – Songs of Innocence and Experience
A Musical Journey into the Heart of the Work of the English Poet, Engraver and Painter.
William Blake is widely recognized as a visionary poet and artist, the creator of one of the most imaginative and influential bodies of work in English literature. What is less well known is that he sang his verses in public…
By interweaving original musical adaptations, spoken texts and image projections, this musical show allows us to discover or rediscover this poet and his life – not as a distant historical figure – but as a sensitive, living and current voice.
Show in English and French.
Prices: €16 / €10.

– Saturday, May 9 at 20 p.m. and Sunday, May 10 at 16 p.m., Pixel Theatre: The Learned Ladies
A new adaptation of Molière's The Learned Ladies
Discover a contemporary and accessible retelling of Molière's *Les Femmes Savantes*, while retaining the satirical wit and vibrancy of the original text. We meet Henriette, who, much to the astonishment of her learned mother and sister, dreams of marrying Alexandre rather than embarking on the noble quest for knowledge.
The play highlights how intellectual pretension can dazzle and be mistaken for true knowledge, how individual freedom clashes with parental expectations, and how pragmatic knowledge and the cunning of everyday life sometimes prevail over academic erudition.
Full of humor and energy, this new version offers a lively encounter between a great text from the repertoire and contemporary English.
Show in English.
Prices: €16 / €10.

– Wednesday 13th and Wednesday 20th May at 19:30 pm, Théâtre du Chapeau Rouge: We don't care!!!
In this gestural performance where bodies search for each other, brush against one another, or stray, relationships unravel with an almost comical gentleness. The performers move in slow motion, clinging to walls, posts, or each other, as if love itself had lost its bearings. As the scenes unfold, poems and fragments of text emerge in several languages, creating a strange polyphony that accompanies the disruptions on stage. Gestures repeat, contaminate one another, freeze, while the music tries, as best it can, to restore order. But nothing works: each attempt at normalcy transforms into an absurd ritual, an improbable embrace, or a poetic derailment. The characters observe, comment, marvel, and finally realize together that "this isn't normal." Little by little, this chaos becomes a collective score where each invents their own logic. Between humor, fragility and excess, the show explores the beauty of what deviates, stumbles and starts again.
Prices: €16 / €12.

– Thursday, May 14 at 19:30 p.m.: Sans Attache
Documentary film
"Without Ties" is a musical road trip following Kjartan and Janos. For two years, this American violinist and this Hungarian accordionist have been living off their travels on the fringes of Western society, without insurance or a bank account. Every summer marks their return to Transylvania, to hone their repertoire and earn a living playing at weddings and festivals. However, their responsibilities as young adults and parents approaching thirty are forcing them to re-evaluate their lives, and this summer may well spell the end of their adventures.
Prices: €12 / €8.

– Saturday, May 16, from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM, departure: forecourt of the Palais des Papes: The Mysterious Avignon Affair
Master's students from Avignon University are offering you a treasure hunt.
You are invited to investigate the disappearance of a famous crime novelist in the streets of Avignon. Go from monument to monument in search of clues for about an hour, and discover what happened to the novelist!
Free with registration, open to everyone aged 8 and up. You can participate in groups (2 to 8 people). Group departures will be scheduled every half hour.
Registration: christianeagathe2000@gmail.com

– Sunday, May 17 at 17 p.m., Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Michel: Reading from the book "Leave the Performance in Tehran" by Behzad Farahani
In "The Pernicious Toy," a manipulative man lures his family to Paris, using his son's illness as a pretext to trap a renowned artist into a deadly scheme. The characters navigate a dark comedy where the lines between lies, feigned compassion, and power gradually blur.
In "Amoureusement," an old woman celebrates, in her own way, the anniversary of her husband's execution. Through memories, hallucinations, and imagined conversations with Sophia Loren and other political and cultural ghosts, she gives voice to a forbidden memory.
In these two plays, imbued with biting humor and a poetic sweep, Behzad Farahani dismantles the mechanisms of power, lies, and social theater. Poised between satire and tragedy, performance and truth, "Leave the Performance Alone in Tehran" is a breathless journey through a country where perhaps the ultimate freedom lies in refusing to perform.
Free participation.

– Friday, May 22 at 20 p.m. – performance, Saturday, May 23 at 14 p.m. – workshop, Théâtre du Chapeau Rouge: SFEROS
Performance: an audiovisual and performative journey through elemental inner landscapes.
Language and poetry unfold from pre-existing texts and spontaneous impulses. Breath, micro-movements, and memory guide the words, allowing poetry to emerge as an extension of bodily gesture. Meaning comes alive, shaped by the interaction between movement, voice, and text.
Free.
SFEROS Workshop – Sphere, Five Elements and Poetry
Body, voice and somatic poetry
This workshop explores the body through the framework of the five elements and introduces the first steps of conscious poetry. Each element becomes a prism to activate bodily memory, evoke emotional associations, and generate vocal and gestural impulses that naturally evolve into a poetic form.
The workshop will take place outdoors, meeting point upon registration.

CLASHING CLASSICS – Second edition from May 28 to 31, La Luna theatre:
– Thursday, May 28 at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, Friday, May 29 at 7:30 PM: Tiresius Never Made it to New York
A multilingual and multi-site performance.
Three authors, three scenes, three cities, one single stage space: Tiresias, a blind mythical prophet, wonders if it is possible to shore up the ruins of a broken world.
Inspired by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, written in the aftermath of the First World War, the play revisits the themes of fragmentation, desolation, and spiritual crisis that permeate the poem. It extends this exploration through the major upheavals of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The action takes place in a dilapidated theatre, a metaphor for a world in decay. The characters, confronted with the collapse of their bearings, seek how to "shor up the ruins", how to rebuild meaning, connection and perhaps a form of hope.
The play is running simultaneously in Avignon, Milan, and Berlin.
Three cities, three writing styles, three sensibilities.
Prices: €18 / €14 / €10.

– Saturday, May 30 at 19:30 p.m., Sunday, May 31 at 17 p.m.: Ghosts
For those who are drowning and those who are in the process of drowning.
Alone on stage, in a ruined theater, Minerva relives each night the role that made her famous, now before an audience of ghosts. Backstage, the specters of past performances stir, eternal fragments of comedy and tragedy. Tom and Hyacinth, who long ago abandoned the stage, join her, and each confronts the torments of their own life and those of the outside world, wondering how to rebuild what has been destroyed.
This play presents the complete French text of Tiresias Never Made It to New York, written collaboratively by three authors. It explores the story of Tom, Hyacinth, and Minerva in greater depth. Each version can be seen independently, but experiencing both allows you to grasp the story in all its richness and the nuances of the characters.
Prices: €18 / €14 / €10.