CIVIS MARITIMUS 2nd wave

05/10/2024

Exhibition from October 5 to November 16 at Château Laurens in Agde

For the second edition of the Ronan Guillou Scholarships, initiated by Eyes Wide Open, a restitution exhibition is presented at Château Laurens (Domaine de Belle Isle Avenue Raymond Pitet, 34300 Agde) from October 5 to November 16, 2024.

The Ronan Guillou Scholarships are launched in 2023 as part of the CIVIS MARITIMUS program which aims to explore the relationship of humans to the sea and more broadly to their environment. Stimulate citizenship of the sea and shake up essential issues facing our spaces of coexistence. Each scholarship photographer benefits from a grant of €4,000 and accommodation at Villa Salis in Sète from May to July to carry out a photographic project committed to social, cultural, ecological and heritage issues linking humans and the marine world.

Initiated with the support of M28 – Terres de culture, the CIVIS MARITIMUS program and the Ronan Guillou Scholarships are part of this dynamic of cultural creations and initiatives on the scale of the Montpellier-Sète living area, which brings together residents and residents around major social, environmental and heritage challenges. Eyes Wide Open is keen, alongside M28 – Terres de culture, to raise awareness among as many people in the region as possible about the issues of our relationship with the Living, whether observing it from the sea or on foot. earth.

Meet at the opening of the exhibition “Civis Maritimus, 2nd wave” on Saturday October 5 from 7:00 p.m., in the presence of photographers Chiara Indelicato and Cécile Smetana, winners of the Ronan Guillou 2024 Scholarships.

On the program: Guided tour of the exhibitions, musical interlude by Olly Jenkins and conversation with the photographers over a drink.

La seconde édition des Bourses Ronan Guillou est soutenue par M28 – Terres de culture, Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée, l’Agglomération Hérault Méditerranée et Château Laurens. Les Bourses Ronan Guillou ont été créées en hommage au photographe français Ronan Guillou, disparu en 2022.

Ronan Guillou Scholarship Winners 2024

Chiara Indelicato

Chiara Indelicato, born in 1987 in Italy, is an independent artist sharing her time between Italy and France. After a first career in fashion and branding, she chose to devote herself entirely to photography in 2019. Her current work mainly focuses on experimenting with alternative film photography processes in harmony with her practice and her research on documentation. of isolated territories.

“THE ARCHIPELAGO”

Occitanie, land of poetry and legends around its Thau pond, inspires an artistic exploration of links with the sea, highlighting current ecological issues. Through this artistic residency, the artist aspires to tell a story, both visual and textual, where the poetry of the imagination meets important themes such as ecology and the future threatened by rising waters around the territories of Sète, the Étang de Thau and the Lion Golf.


Cécile Smetana


Cécile Smetana was born in 1986 in a small fishing village of 2000 inhabitants in the north of Denmark. She studied art photography, then photo journalism in Denmark. She then worked primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Mexico, the southern United States and France as a photojournalist and cinematographer.

“SCIROCCO”

The Sirocco reaches the speed of a hurricane and causes disruptions: broken down vehicles, storms at sea and hot and humid weather invade southern Europe. When the wind reaches southern Europe, it is known as bloodrain, because of the red sand it carries. The Scirocco project aims to document the invisible forces – those that impact the Mediterranean coastline – from a personal perspective – the story of the artist’s father’s family who emigrated from Algeria to France, is based in Nice then in Sète – to that of nature: the storms, the heat of the sea and the eponymous wind.

M28 – Terres de culture fête la rentrée avec l’Université Paul Valéry !

17/09/2024

Venez nous rencontrer mardi 17 septembre de 11h00 à 16h00 au campus universitaire Paul Valéry, Route de Mende à Montpellier dans le cadre de Don’t Panic ! Au programme : animations, food-trucks, plateau radio, jeux, bornes à selfies !

Une occasion pour les étudiantes et étudiants de remporter un Pass Interrail offert par Montpellier 2028 ! Un Pass Interrail, c’est une opportunité de voyager en train dans 33 pays européens, pendant 7 jours durant une période de 1 mois.

Comment participer au tirage au sort ?

1. Nous suivre sur instagram @montpellier2028 et @vie_de_campus_paul_va

2. Commenter le post dédié en répondant aux questions suivantes et en tagguant vos amis : Quels pays d’Europe aimeriez-vous visiter ? Avec qui ?

Ouvert jusqu’à 23h59 le 17 septembre 2024

Un tirage au sort aura lieu pour désigner le ou la gagnante.

Retrouvez le règlement du concours ici.

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M28 – Terres de culture dont l’Université Paul Valéry est membre associé travaille à la co-construction d’un projet culturel à l’échelle du bassin de vie Montpellier-Sète qui fédère les habitantes et habitants autour des grands défis sociaux, environnementaux et patrimoniaux. M28 a à cœur de mobiliser et d’associer les étudiantes et étudiants dans sa démarche, notamment sur la question de notre rapport au vivant et pour imaginer les solutions pour vivre dans le monde de demain.

Tendance Floue exhibition on the Corum roof

12/07/2024

To mark the opening of Panorama, which makes the Corum roof the most open and unexpected rooftop in the region, M28 -Terres de culture presents a selection of images taken in 2022 and 2023 by photographers from the Tendance Floue collective in residence in the Montpellier-Sète catchment area.

Exhibition from July 12, Tuesday to Sunday, 6pm to 1am
Location: Panorama – toit du Corum, Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, des Arts et de la Culture (Montpellier)

Tendance Floue on M28 territory

Six photographers from the Tendance Floue collective – Denis Bourges, Gilles Coulon, Yohanne Lamoulère, Flore-Aël Surun, Patrick Tourneboeuf and Alain Willaume – turned their singular gaze on the M28 territory. From Montpellier’s first tramway line to the Pic-Saint Loup, on the water, on the roads or along the byways, these artists have showcased the diversity and richness of the region.

Find out more about the artists and the residency podcast here.

Tendance Floue is a group of French photographers who have won international awards for their work at the crossroads of the social, the cultural, the documentary and the artistic. Exploring the world against the tide of a globalized image, peering into the shadows of exhibited subjects, capturing moments apart: Tendance Floue is a unique laboratory. Over the past thirty years, an indefinable alchemy of ideas and energies has created a singular photographic language, and renewed the terrain of narrative.
Over and above their individual approaches, the photographers embark on photographic adventures of a different kind, with a performance feel. Confronting images, assembling them, combining them: new material emerges from the shared work. Press, publishing, exhibitions, screenings, communications: the collective explores every medium of contemporary photography, with no holds barred. Nearly thirty years after it was founded, Tendance Floue is now recognized as a major player in French photography, and leading institutions call on its collective creativity.

Panorama

From July 12, 2024, the roof of the Corum in Montpellier will be transformed into a place of life, conviviality and attractiveness as part of the 6th “Permis d’Imaginer”, a transitional urban planning project driven by Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. With the help of Altemed and the Halle Tropisme team, winners of the call for expressions of interest launched at the beginning of May, this new space, open to all, is part of the strategy to transform the city center, following on from the embellishment of Place de la Comédie and Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle.

Panorama – Un été sur le toit du Corum: a cultural, gastronomic and recreational program is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, 6 pm to 1 am, from July 12 to October 12, 2024.

Find out more here.

On the occasion of Panorama – Un été sur le toit du Corum, in Montpellier from July 12 to October 12, M28 – Terres de culture is offering you the chance to win an Interrail pass.

Try your luck at exploring Europe by train – 7 days of travel in 33 European countries!

How to enter?

  1. Rendez-vous at Panorama sur le toit du Corum – Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, des Arts et de la Culture
  2. Post your best photo from the roof or from the roof of the Corum (a beautiful view of the M28 territory awaits you) from July 12 at 6pm to July 17, 2024 at 1am.
  3. Using hashtags #M28Terresdeculture #panorama
  4. Tag @montpellier2028

A draw will determine the winner.

Find the contest rules here.

Please note that for your entry to be taken into account, your account must be public for the duration of the game.

Good luck to you all!

Find out more about the Panorama program here.

Jean Hugo tribute season on the M28 territory

19/06/2024

The tribute season dedicated to Jean Hugo on Territoire M28, the fruit of a unique cooperation – between the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, the Musée Paul Valéry in Sète and the Musée Médard in Lunel – is open all summer and into autumn.

As part of its 2023 call for projects, M28 also supported the “Chemin Jean Hugo, sur les pas du peintre poète” initiative led by the Association des Amis de Jean Hugo. An itinerary that links the sites painted by Jean Hugo and shares his works with as many people as possible.

The exhibitions “Jean Hugo, le regard magique” at the Fabre Museum in Montpellier, “Jean Hugo, entre ciel et terre” at the Musée Paul Valéry in Sète, and ‘Jean Hugo, le regard magique, sa vie à Lunel de 1920 à 1984’ at the Musée Médard in Lunel, are an exceptional opportunity to discover or rediscover this artist and his home region, to which he was so attached and whose landscapes inspired him so much.

The exhibitions were accompanied by three vernissages on three different dates (June 19 at the Musée Médard, June 27 at the Musée Fabre and June 28 at the Musée Paul Valéry), marking the launch of the cross-programming in which M28 – Terres de culture played a key role, in the presence of Michaël Delafosse, François Commeinhes and Pierre Soujol and members of the association’s Board of Directors.

Find out more about each exhibition below:

A new chapter for M28!

27/06/2024

On Thursday June 27, “M28 – Terres de culture” brought together cultural players and project leaders for a workshop at the Maison des Relations Internationales Nelson Mandela (Montpellier). Sophie Léron, President of M28, and Nicolas Dubourg, Artistic Director, presented the association’s new roadmap and the co-construction process for event 25 entitled “Les chemins du vivant”, which will take place from September 28 to October 4, 2025.

Mathieu Argaud, Director of Bipolar, illustrated the dynamic underway with an example of a project located in the “Atlas sensible fêtes de la Mosson”.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for useful and fruitful exchanges between the various players, based on M28’s values: a cooperative, inclusive, cross-sectoral approach open to the world. This meeting marks the launch of a new chapter for the association, and the beginning of the construction of event 25 – Les chemins du vivant.

This was followed by a convivial reception in the presence of Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, accompanied by Sophie Léron and Nicolas Dubourg, Board members Jeanne Corporon, André Deljarry, Martine Durand Rambier, Anne Ferrer, Clare Hart, and the association’s partners and sponsors, in the gardens of the Maison des Relations Internationales.

Forum Entreprendre dans la culture in Occitanie

26/06/2024

On the occasion of the forum Entreprendre dans la Culture en Occitanie, organised by Context’Art in partnership with the Université Paul Valéry, the BPI and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, on 26 and 27 June, M28 – Terres de culture is offering you the chance to win an Interrail pass.

If you’re attending the forum, try your luck at exploring Europe by train – 7 days of travel in 33 European countries!

How to enter?

  1. Meet us at the Entreprendre dans la culture en Occitanie forum
  2. Post your best photos of the forum on Instagram in story or publication on Wednesday June 26 and Thursday June 27 before 11:59 p.m.
  3. Use hashtags#M28Terresdeculture #EntreprendredanslacultureOccitanie
  4. Tag @montpellier2028

A draw will determine the winner.

Find the contest rules here.

Please note that for your entry to be taken into account, your account must be public for the duration of the game.

Good luck to you all!

Find out more about the program for the Forum Entreprendre dans la culture en Occitanie here.

A new roadmap for M28!

29/05/2024

The Board of Directors of “M28 – Terres de culture” met on Wednesday May 29 in Saint-Jean-Fos (Hérault Valley). It was an opportunity to propose a new governance, develop new missions and announce an event in the autumn of 2025. Responding to the invitation of Jean-François SOTO, Mayor of Gignac and President of the Hérault Valley community of communes, and in the presence of Pascal DELIEUZE, Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Fos, all the members of the CA were able to visit the Argileum of Saint-Jean-de-Fos and the Abbey of Aniane on this occasion.

Governance adapted to new challenges

The M28 Board of Directors made it possible to initiate a new stage for the dynamics of the territory in favor of culture with the installation of governance adapted to the challenges to come, with the election of Sophie LERON, to the position of President of the M28 association and welcoming new members:

  • the Occitanie Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs, represented by Michel ROUSSEL its director. The presence of the State was unanimously welcomed. The entry of the Ministry of Culture through the DRAC Occitanie is fundamental and highly symbolic.
  • the Montpellier University Hospital, represented by Anne FERRER, its director, who will provide valuable support in linking culture, health and inclusion.
  • Charlotte GIRERD, Director of Transition, CSR and Innovation of SNCF Immobilier and Alexandre LABASSE, General Director of the Parisian Urban Planning Workshop, as qualified personalities who will be able to support the association in the development of emerging urban themes and transformation projects innovative.
  • Adèle CHARVET remains one of the faces of M28 by continuing her commitment to the association as a qualified personality.

“Culture is a transformative power for the territory, an instrument serving its resilience and reinvention. Culture is what makes the territory a living organism.”

Sophie Léron, President of M28

A dynamic which demonstrates the vitality of the M28 approach in the territory.

For two years, the Montpellier 2028 – European Capital of Culture association did more than work for Montpellier’s candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture: the approach made it possible to give substance to the notion of territory. A living area, a continuum of experiences and a community of destinies facing contemporary climatic, social and economic challenges.

“M28 – Terres de culture” is conceived today as a supplement of soul, in the etymological sense of the term – that which animates, that which gives breath – an approach which is not content to interweave administrative cogs, but builds an organic link between local stakeholders. By decompartmentalizing culture to make it an instrument of resilience.

The Board of Directors unanimously voted for the co-constructed roadmap which presents the actions to be implemented in the coming months, with all the partners and echoing the feedback from the winning project leaders in the Calls for projects 2022 and 2023.

To continue to fertilize the soil of our imaginations, to transform the territory through culture and build a common future through dialogue and the hybridization of forms, materials and disciplines, “M28 – Terres de culture” is adopting new missions. :

  • Animate a common framework going beyond existing administrative structures and aiming to transform, through culture, the territory defined in the continuity of the candidacy of Montpellier and its partners to become European Capital of Culture,
  • To create a space for experimentation with new artistic forms and collaboration around the daily problems of the inhabitants and the major issues that cross this territory,
  • Take an experimental and cross-sectoral approach,
  • Support joint projects, document them and give them shared visibility.

A major event in 2025

Finally, the members of the board of directors of “M28 – Terres de culture” approved the holding of a major cultural event, under the artistic direction of Nicolas Dubourg. Divided into 7 major meetings and punctuated by dozens of transdisciplinary events, with the participation of residents, it will extend over the entire territory, from Château Laurens to Agde to Sana to Grau du Roi, including The source of the Lez or the Lunel Canal. At the end of a year of residencies and experiments, this event “The Paths of Living” will take place for a week from September 28 to October 4, 2025 and will be followed by a handover with the Euro-Africa Biennale the weekend of October 5 and 6, 2025.

M28 celebrates Europe!

09/05/2024

On Europe Day, M28 celebrates its commitment to the European Union and the values that underpin it: the Rule of Law, Democracy, Equality, Human Rights, Freedom and Human Dignity.

The M28 territory is firmly in line with the European Union’s objectives for tackling the major challenges of our time, such as climate change and democracy. M28 also strongly defends the principle of a Europe united in its diversity. Art and culture are powerful vectors for preserving these ties.

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This Thursday, May 9, M28 and Eyes Wide Open (2023 winner of M28) are uniting to offer you an Interrail pass and a photo book, as part of the “Civis Maritimus, 1ère vague” exhibition in Sète.

How to enter the photo competition?

  1. Visit the “Civis Maritimus, 1ère vague” exhibition 
  2. Post a story on Instagram of your exhibition favorite before 11:59pm on May 9, 2024
  3. Use one of the hashtags of your choice : #EuropeUnie, #EuropeVivante, #EuropeenPaix
  4. Tag @_theeyeswideopen and @montpellier2028

A draw will be held to select the winner.
Find the contest rules here.

Please note that for your entry to count, your account must be public for the duration of the game!

Good luck to you all!

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Organized by Eyes Wide Open, as part of the Itinérances Foto tour, the exhibition invites us to take a step back from our conventional perception of the marine environment, with four young artists: Aliki Christoforou, Charles Thiefaine, Alice Pallot and Manon Lanjouère.

The exhibition runs from May 1 to 20, Wednesday to Sunday, 2:30 to 7:00 pm, at the Théâtre de la Mer in Sète.

Programme Thursday May 9 from 6.00 pm
at Théâtre de la Mer in Sète (Salle Tarbouriech)

  • Vernissage in the presence of the artists
  • Visit of the exhibition followed by an Apéro and DJ set with Filosofia 
  • Announcement and presentation of the two 2024 Ronan Guillou Fellowship winners (European photographers), in residence in Sète in May and June to carry out their projects associating the human and marine worlds.
  • First Agora Civis Maritimus with Alice Pallot and Manon Lanjouère to share their marine-related projects

M28 meets at Grand Pic Saint-Loup!

28/03/2024

Working meeting with representatives of local authorities and the association’s partners, in the premises of the community of communes of Grand Pic Saint-Loup.

For this new phase of transformation, M28 is continuing its collective commitment, in the continuity of the dynamic initiated. A sequence of work rich in the contributions of each and everyone, on the occasion of which the first responses to the questionnaires sent to our project leaders were presented.

Discussions to also share the first avenues of reflection on the continuation of M28, with the aim of defining our common ambition and the action plans to be deployed in the M28 territory.

Thank you to Alain Barbe, President and Martine Durand-Rambier Vice-President, in charge of Culture and Heritage and to the teams of the community of communes of Grand Pic Saint-Loup for their welcome.

M28 the following, co-construction phase

01/03/2024

Friday, March 1, a working meeting was held with the cultural departments of the local authorities members of the Montpellier 2028 Association at the Hôtel d’Aurès, the beating heart of M28.

Faced with the common challenges of the territory and in the continuity of the dynamic initiated, the teams were involved in this new phase of transformation and in the development of the association’s roadmap which will be presented to the Board of Directors before the summer.

The association will maintain an experimental and cross-sectoral approach, being a space for experimentation with new artistic forms and collaboration around the major issues that cross the territory of M28. Convinced that artistic creation can contribute to forging new imaginations capable of shaping a desirable future, M28 will be keen to continue its approach in favor of the hospitality of artists and the diversity of audiences.

Calls for projects 2022 – 2023

The Calls for Projects system: a powerful lever for a long-term approach

One of the strengths of our candidacy is to have been able to show the face
of the year of the title from its pre-selection phase. Thanks to a shared budget
and in a unique approach between all partner communities,
the Montpellier 2028 – European Capital of Culture Association brought
two Calls for Projects in 2022 and 2023.

Open to all artistic, cultural, educational, social and
heritage, their objectives have evolved according to the progress of the candidacy. The
two programs for 2022 and 2023 were intended to enrich the cultural offering
throughout the M28 territory with an eclectic program (shows,
hikes, creative workshops, competitions, readings, etc.).

Intended for all its inhabitants, the majority of
events are free and general public, but also geared towards
specific audiences (young people, seniors, people in migration situations,
people with disabilities, etc.).

The key numbers of the Calls for Projects
85 winning projects
More than 200 events
50 host communities for programming events
⅓ of projects with a European and/or international dimension in 2023

download the 2022 program
download the 2023 program

The adventure continues!

09/01/2024

The communities and all the partners of the Montpellier 2028 association met on Tuesday January 9 at the Corum in Montpellier for a Board of Directors and a General Assembly.

In recent months, Montpellier 2028 has carried out with strength and commitment a project that has created something in common. This board of directors was an opportunity to present the collective assessment of the actions carried out in this application phase and to look back on all the progress made during this great adventure which has given rise to so many new initiatives which will remain as so many acquired.

During the Board of Directors, it was unanimously noted by the members of the association the desire to continue the collective path with common actions in the territory of M28 around, for example, themes which remain essential such as the transition ecological, Europe and inclusion; specific programs in 2024, particularly around youth and cross-sectorality. These actions may take different forms: calls for projects, financing of engineering in targeted locations, financing of themed collective actions, residency grants. An appointment is made for a board meeting before the summer setting the major objectives of the association, a timetable for achievement and the related means.

At the end, everyone was invited to a friendly moment at the Brasserie du Corum, in the presence of all the association’s partners (patrons and project leaders). Founding members, associate members, invited members and partners collectively displayed their enthusiasm for building the future together.

“The M28 adventure continues and is committed to a common transformative ambition in the face of the major challenges of the territory for today and the years to come. » Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.

download the M28 application report

© Alain Scherer

Thanks to all our partners

13/12/2023

The European jury for the selection of the winning city for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2028 made its decision this evening, and we would like to congratulate the city of Bourges on its designation. This choice confirms a development project for a medium-sized city through culture.

Along with Sète, the Occitanie region, the Hérault department, the communities of communes of Pays de Lunel, Grand Pic Saint-Loup, Vallée de l’Hérault, Terre de Camargue, the Hérault Méditerranée and Pays de l’Or agglomerations, Montpellier has embarked on an unprecedented adventure: applying for the title of European Capital of Culture.

For two years, with heart, enthusiasm and conviction, we worked together to make a real case for culture. We have brought together numerous partners, economic, educational and social players, all of whom we would like to thank warmly today. From the initial nine cities involved in the process, we have now reached the final alongside three (Bourges, Clermont-Ferrand and Rouen) who, like us, have made a firm choice in favor of culture.

As the French Minister of Culture pointed out during her visit, we were, in a way, already the European Capital of Culture.

We’re keeping in mind that this bid has brought us a great deal. Since 2022, 85 cultural projects have been designated as Montpellier 2028 winners, representing over 200 events, most of them free of charge, organized throughout the region for all its residents. It has also been a formidable project gas pedal, with our involvement in numerous European networks and the emergence of cooperative ventures with many European cities. But also in our way of building cultural policies, more inclusive, more participative with citizens.

What’s more, the collective governance to which we are committed is undeniably an asset. This dynamic must and will continue. We are going to pursue it in the spirit of cooperation that was born on a regional scale via the association that brings us together. We are more united than ever for culture.

See you in the weeks to come as we continue to share our imaginations.

“In any case, this candidacy is a victory for a more peaceful region and for an asserted cultural ambition for today and the years to come. The promise of new projects for the future. Michaël DELAFOSSE, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.

Montpellier 2028 in Dublin

28/11/2023

“Culture Summit” by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

A day filled with exchanges on the theme of cooperation among Capitals of Culture.

The cities of Timisoara and Elefsina, European Capitals of Culture 2023, as well as San José in Costa Rica, shared their initial experiences. A source of inspiration for all, especially for the Deputy Mayor of Brazzaville, Clesh Atipo Ngapi, whose city will be the next African Capital of Culture alongside Kinshasa. The Brazzaville-Kinshasa duo will succeed Rabat and aims, through this nomination, to contribute to the structuring, empowerment, and networking of creative and cultural actors on the African continent.

This dialogue among European, African, and Ibero-American cities, facilitated by networks such as UCLG, is essential for developing decentralized cooperation and placing culture at the heart of our development strategies for sustainable, peaceful, and more inclusive cities.

Montpellier 2028 fully embraces this dynamic of cooperation and is already standing alongside all Capitals of Culture.

Montpellier 2028 had the honor of participating in the roundtable “Culture & Health,” moderated by Lars Ebert, Secretary-General of Culture Action Europe.

The scientific studies presented by Niels Fietje from the World Health Organization are eloquent and reinforce culture and health practitioners to work together to advance innovative approaches to mental health and well-being.

Éric Penso, Vice President of the Montpellier Metropolis, presented the actions taken in Montpellier in this direction, notably through the the Bulle Bleue projects, which act on a daily basis to promote access to training and employment for artists with disabilities, or the links we are developing with Oulu in Finland and their Smart Hospital project.

Montpellier 2028 at the European Parliament in Brussels

30/11/2023

On the occasion of the Cities and Regions Forum for International Partnerships, a delegation from Montpellier 2028 went to Brussels to discuss international relations through the prism of culture and youth with the European network.

Clare Hart, Vice-President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole spoke during the opening session of the Forum on the role of local authorities in the context of international partnerships and the localization of the SDGs/Global Gateway.

Then, Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of the City of Montpellier, President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole chaired a workshop on the role of culture in the construction of a sustainable and inclusive city model, particularly for young people. The opportunity to share with other mayors and representatives of intermediary cities our project and vision of a sustainable, inclusive and exemplary territory as an accelerator of territorial cooperation and cohesion.

Driven by the conviction that culture is a lever for development and can help us invent new stories in the face of major contemporary issues, Montpellier 2028 continues its commitment to the European network and the African continent with the ambition to invent together new forms of cooperation and deploying imaginaries of transition.

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Montpellier 2028, alongside the African Capital of Culture 2024!

The Cities and Regions for International Partnerships Forum was also an opportunity to strengthen our collaboration with the cities of Brazzaville and Kinshasa, which have just been jointly designated as the African Capitals of Culture for 2024.

These rich exchanges, particularly with Yvette Tabu Inangoy, Commissioner General in charge of culture for the province of Kinshasa, and Emma Clesh Atipo Ngapy, Deputy Mayor of Brazzaville, align with our commitment to dialogue and cooperation with the African continent.

Also an opportunity for Michaël Delafosse to meet again with Achille Mbembe, bearer of a strong message for local democracies.

After a first Biennale that took place in October 2023, strengthened by the ties formed in 2021 during the organization of the New Africa-France Summit, exploring new areas of partnerships, especially between artists and scientists, Montpellier asserts itself more than ever as a crossroads of ideas and aims to transform perspectives on the reality of African cultures.

Visit of members of the European jury delegation

04/12/2023

Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of the City of Montpellier, President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, and the Montpellier 2028 team welcomed the members of the European jury delegation to Montpellier on Monday, December 4th, alongside representatives from local authorities and partners committed to our candidacy.

On the agenda: a tour of the cities of Montpellier and Sète with times for meetings and discussions on the major challenges of Montpellier 2028. With one objective: to provide an authentic and representative overview of our candidacy in all its richness and diversity.

The opportunity to discover the development project of the ZAC Boffil, future Fabrique M28, and to focus on our program, especially around Cultural and Creative Industries, citizen participation through the awareness-raising of future ambassadors of Water4future Hackatons among schoolchildren, high school students, and university students, Culture at the children’s level with the Fabre Museum and its innovative awareness devices for young and very young audiences, but also projects combining health and culture led by the University Hospital Center of Montpellier (CHU) with on-the-ground initiatives and inspiring creative activities to improve mental health. Presentation also of the future cultural dimension of the Chais Dubonnet in Sète, the relocation project of the MIAM International Museum of Modest Arts that is part of it, and the creation of spaces for sharing and conviviality, especially around gastronomy, but also participatory projects in social care institutions supported by Mécènes du sud.

Also an opportunity to reaffirm that the candidacy of Montpellier 2028 aims to transform the territory through the prism of culture by becoming a place of experimentation and invention at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges as illustrated by the Euro-Africa Biennial.

Furthermore, the strategy and evaluation methods of the title and its impact on the territory in the short and medium term were presented by the Center for Political and Social Studies (CEPEL), which will be in charge of its coordination.

This day concluded at the Théâtre de la Mer in Sète in the presence of François Commeinhes, Mayor of Sète and President of Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée, to the rhythm of the official anthem of Montpellier 2028 with the Association Les Loustics du Pic and to the sound of the guitars of Kema & Nelson Baliardo.

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The visit reflected the Montpellier 2028 candidacy: with a “low carbon” and responsible approach.

The members of the European jury delegation discovered the cities of Montpellier and Sète by train, electric vehicles, velotaxis, and boat!

Thinking about new mobilities on the M28 scale is at the heart of the challenges of the Montpellier 2028 candidacy.

Adapting mobilities to new uses to address the ecological and social transition challenges we want for our territory begins with incentive measures, such as Montpellier’s free transportation policy or the renewed commitment of the Occitanie Region to offer TER tickets for €1 for all the highlights of our program; the reciprocal adaptation of M28 programming schedules and transport services.

This will also involve experimenting with river shuttles, promoting the use of bicycles and electric bicycles through artistic and cultural routes and projects by promoting intermodality (notably train+bicycle).

Montpellier 2028 mobilizes for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

02/12/2023

10 h 00

On Saturday December 2 from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 16:00 to 20:00, the city of Montpellier is organizing an event entitled “Cap sur la culture”.

This initiative aims to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and in particular diversity and inclusion in the arts and culture sector.

The Salle des Rencontres at Montpellier City Hall will be the venue for this celebration, with a rich program ranging from poetry to live shows, round tables and musical performances.

See the full program here.



Montpellier 2028 is giving away an Interrail pass for the occasion! Enter our “Europe by train” photo competition and try your luck!

How to enter?

1. Go to the “Cap sur la culture” event.

2. Take a photo of yourself with one of our photo frames in support of the Montpellier 2028 bid.

3. Post your best photos on your Instagram account, tagging @montpellier2028, with the hashtags #montpellier2028 #JIPSH2023
before 11:59pm on December 02, 2023

A draw will be held to select the winner.

Find the contest rules here.

Please note that for your entry to count, your account must be public for the duration of the game!

For the disabled, assistance can be requested on board by the pass holder, and their carer can obtain a free Interrail pass.

Good luck to you all!

Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak visits the heart of Montpellier 2028

18/11/2023

The major challenges at stake in Montpellier’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2028 were unveiled at the Maison des Relations Internationales Nelson Mandela in Montpellier. Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, François Commeinhes, Mayor of Sète and President of Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée, Claire Fita, Vice-President of Montpellier 2028 and Vice-President of the Conseil Régional d’Occitanie, and Zita Chelvi-Sandin, Conseiller départementale de l’Hérault, addressed key European issues, as well as territorial cooperation and mobility.

It was also an opportunity to discuss Montpellier 2028’s artistic program, based around its 3 artistic axes: Les Chemins du vivant, La Fabrique des futurs, Trans! with a focus on the role of culture as an essential factor in connection and inclusion, and as a lever for transformation, in the presence of Nicolas Dubourg, Artistic Director of the bid, Sophie Léron, General Manager of the bid, Delphine Maurel, Director of ESAT artistique la Bulle Bleue, and Thierry Verdier, Director of ENSAM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Montpellier).

Next, Mathieu Argaud, co-director of the Bipolar agency, and Mélina Chosson presented the “Rassemblez-Lez” project, which, as part of Montpellier 2028, is proposing a laboratory for experimentation around the question of environmental issues, and which has launched a major negotiation between the Lez river and its inhabitants.

Finally, there was a visit to the “Boson Man, particule élémentaire” exhibition by Franco-Ivorian artist Ernest Dükü at the Espace Bagouet, inaugurated as part of the Montpellier Euro-Africa Biennial.

© Alain Scherer

Cœur de Ville en Lumières

16/11/2023

18 h 30

3 DAYS OF SOUND & LIGHT SHOWS IN THE HEART OF MONTPELLIER
(free admission)

November 16 to 18, 2023 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Montpellier and all its partner communities are finalists to become European Capital of Culture in 2028.

This year, Cœur de Ville en Lumières takes us to the heart of Europe, to discover three European Capitals of Culture in 2023: Eleusis (Greece), Timisoara (Romania) and Veszprem (Hungary).
Punctuated by stopovers on the African continent, the program links and celebrates the cultural wonders of our two continents.
Water, which links the various territories of the Montpellier 2028 bid, occupies a central place in this 8th edition, which aims to deploy our sensibilities and imaginations towards a desirable future.

download the full program

FOCUS – M28

Europe
“Europe en cœur, shine in Europe” at the Opéra Comédie
This show plunges us into a unique adventure that links Romanian and French culture. A visual, sound and immersive universe that bridges the gap between two cultures: Timisoara has been a cultural avant-garde since 1884!

“Veszprem” at Eglise Saint-Roch
This show offers a dreamlike, cultural incursion into the spirit of Hungary and the city of Veszprem, European Capital of Culture 2023. Elements of Veszprem’s tangible and intangible heritage invite themselves onto the neo-Gothic facade of the Church of St. Roch, ready to destructure and generate spectacular architectural effects.

“Eleusis” at Poste Rondelet
Discover the Greek world, Eleusis, European Capital of Culture 2023, and its great ancient mysteries. ELEUSIS, a very large-format show, on the imposing Poste Rondelet, at the sources of Western civilization.

“Asteri, Csillag and Stéa” at the Cour de l’Agora
Spotlight on culture! Embark on a colorful, immersive journey to the heart of the three new European Capitals of Culture 2023: Eleusis, Timisoara and Veszprem. Follow the stars…

Africa
“Rêves d’Afrique” at Hôtel Saint-Côme
In this journey to Africa, light will wrap the Hôtel Saint-Côme in boubous, motifs and colors. A haute couture tribute to African cultures and 18th-century architecture.

“Afro’rythmes” at the Hôtel d’Aurès
African music takes center stage. Drawing inspiration from its rhythms and instruments, its colors and energies, we offer you a sensory and intoxicating journey, inviting you to dance and travel.

“Africa in lights” at Saint-Pierre Cathedral
e-artsup Montpellier’s motion design and 2D/3D animation students pay tribute to contemporary African artists through a graphic, musical and animated journey.

Water
“Aquatic Legends” at the Prefecture
Water, the cornerstone of our civilizations, has always deeply nourished our imaginations. This show pays tribute to the legends and stories that have shaped our collective identity since the dawn of time.

“Méditerranéa” at Aqueduc des Arceaux
A plunge into the aquatic world. A deep dive into the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, to discover its immensity, beauty and hidden treasures.

“Plongée dans l’audacieux” at the Arc de Triomphe
Water, an indispensable element, brings the various paintings to life.

Light sculpture at Notre-Dame des Tables
Light sculpture on the theme of water with eight art prep students and nine graphic design students in their 2nd year at Studio M.

M28 application submitted to the French Ministry of Culture

27/10/2023

Montpellier 2028 was in Paris to submit our bid to the Ministry of Culture.

With : Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole; Adèle Charvet, President of the Montpellier 2028 association; Sophie Léron, General Manager and Nicolas Dubourg, Artistic Director.

Montpellier and all its partner local authorities are working together on a truly ambitious, forward-looking and inclusive regional project. The artistic project presented in the bid is based on 3 concepts – CONNECT, ACT, CELEBRATE – and 3 axes – Living Trails, Time machine, Trans! – .

This bid is the fruit of a joint project involving all our partners across the region, Europe and the African continent.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their imaginations with us and helped us write new stories!

Download the application form in FR
Download the application form in EN

Les Loustic du Pic played the official Montpellier 2028 anthem in Paris!

13/10/2023

This visit follows Senator Hussein Bourgi’s invitation to the young musicians of the Loustics du Pic brass band to come to the Senate.

An opportunity for 24 young people from the region to discover the Palais du Luxembourg and perform there.

The following day, Montpellier 2028 joined the towns of Sète and Agde at the Fête des Vendanges in Montmartre for a festive and convivial event.

In the heart of the Arènes de Montmartre, the issues at stake in Montpellier’s 2028 bid were presented, and the Loustics du Pic delighted the large audience who turned out to hear them play on the heights of the capital, before giving way to the tunes of Brassens and Manitas de Plata.

With the participation of :

– Sophie Léron, General Manager of Montpellier 2028

– Eric Penso, Vice-president of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole in charge of Culture and Historical Heritage

– Christophe Durand, Vice-Chairman of Sète Agglopôle, responsible for cultural outreach and the development of artistic education in community facilities, public reading and live performance.

– Joliette Coste, Deputy Manager of the Attractive City of Sète, responsible for Tourism and the Cruise Club

The trip was made possible thanks to the support of Lidl France.

Montpellier 2028 on display in stations

15/10/2023

Montpellier 2028 has teamed up with SNCF Gares & Connexions to showcase a selection of projects by local artists and cultural players. A number of artistic projects emblematic of the bid will be showcased in 5 stations across the region, through customized scenographies designed by SNCF Gares & Connexions teams.

Visit Montpellier, Sète, Lunel, Frontignan and Vic-Mireval stations to discover these unique installations.

This partnership between Montpellier 2028 and SNCF Gares & Connexions is intended to be a long-term one, extending beyond the region to the national and European level if Montpellier is chosen to become European Capital of Culture in 2028, alongside Budweis (Czech Republic) and Skopje (Macedonia).

OCTOBER 15 TO DECEMBER 31, 2023

Sète station, Aliki Christoforou “Perspectives submergées”; Charles Thiefaine “Z”, as part of the CIVIS MARITIMUS program: “Tous citoyens des mers” (“All citizens of the seas”) supported by Eyes Wide Open.
Lunel station, Ador & Mara “Navache!”, Elisa Capdevila and Zoer, restitution of two frescoes created around the theme of water, as part of the “Contre Courant – Art & Exploration Urbaine” program supported by LineUP, the city and the Lunel region.
Frontignan and Vic-Mireval railway stations, “Inside Out” created by photographer JR, a series of portraits of committed local citizens, as part of the “Transborder” program supported by AFIVAM.

FROM NOVEMBER 02 TO DECEMBER 15, 2023

Gare de Montpellier Saint-Roch, Barthélémy Toguo, series of etchings entitled “Wouri, Donga, Sanaga…”, named after the rivers of Cameroon; GraphiMs, a festival organized by La Fenêtre and the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole media library network. A series exploring the relationship between transport and graphic design.

→ watch the video

SNCF Gares & Connexions specializes in stations, from design to operation and marketing. Born of the conviction that stations are living places in their own right, it enriches these “urban villages” to help spread culture to all publics. Every year, nearly 300 exhibitions, interventions and artistic events are custom-designed for stations throughout France, in partnership with leading institutions.

Euro-Africa Biennial Montpellier

09/10/2023

Montpellier 2028 celebrates cooperation between Europe and Africa!

The relationship between Europe and Africa is a key aspect of the Montpellier 2028 bid, as demonstrated by this 1st edition of the Euro-Africa Montpellier Biennial.

October 9 to 15, Montpellier and its inhabitants vibrated to the rhythm of Africa and celebrated its cultural riches through a constellation of national and international events. Participative balls, conferences, concerts, creations, exhibitions, animations – aimed at promoting existing and future cooperation between Montpellier and the African continent, and transforming the way we look at the reality of current African cultures, particularly in the field of Creative Cultural Industries.

On October 9 and 10, European and African academics and researchers met at the Euro-Africa Water Days conference organized by the Icireward center.

→ program
→ press kit for the First Euro-Africa Montpellier Biennial

Round table by M28

At the heart of the first Euro-Africa Montpellier Biennial, Montpellier 2028 organized a round-table discussion on Monday October 9 at the Maison des relations internationales on the European Commission’s strategy for cultural policies with the African continent.

An opportunity to exchange views with a panel of speakers on the role of culture in the development of cities, and on the European Commission’s support for the “African Capital of Culture” initiative led by UCLG.

Montpellier 2028 has announced that it will be joining the designated Capital in November to share their experiences.

→ available on replay

Speakers:
Virginie Ehonian. Moderator.
Sophie Léron. General Manager of Montpellier 2028.
Adja Mariam Mahre Soro. Director, screenwriter, producer and author of comics and animation.
Giorgio Ficcarelli. Head of Section, Culture and Intercultural Dialogue, DG INTPA, European Commission.
Jacques Jonathan Nyemb. Lawyer and founder of “The Okwelians” Think Tank in social innovation.innovation sociale « The Okwelians ».
Sophie Renaud. Director of Cooperation and Society Dialogue, Institut français.
Bamba Ould Daramane. Mayor of the commune of Rosso (Mauritania).

Montpellier 2028 at the Eurocities Culture Forum in Birmingham!

12/10/2023

Following the signing of Eurocities’ “Call to Action” by the Montpellier Metropolis advocating for a decarbonized and more inclusive culture, we continue our commitment to the European network by participating in the Culture Forum held on the 12th and 13th of October in the city of Birmingham.

This is an opportunity for Montpellier to engage in discussions alongside other Eurocities members regarding the role of culture in city development policies, both socially and economically, with a particular focus on citizen participation and diversity considerations. These exchanges and field visit s provide valuable insights for the Montpellier 2028 teams in the context of our bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028.

Débate: Art in the age of artificial intelligence: opportunities or pitfalls?

19/10/2023

19 h 00

Thursday October 19 at 7pm at MO.CO. Montpellier Contemporain Panacée

Organized as part of Montpellier 2028 and Les Jeudis MO.CO. Panacée, in partnership with Midi Libre

Recent news about Artificial Intelligence shows that artistic production is likely to be impacted by these new technological advances.

New artists are already fully committed to the path of artistic production via Artificial Intelligence, as in the case of Thibaud Zamora, a Montpellier-based video game artist who has become an “A.I Artist”.

Beyond artistic production, Artificial Intelligence enables us to reinvent our relationship with mediation, citizen participation and inclusion, notably by offering new digital mediation experiences and generating new possibilities for inclusion – key issues for Montpellier 2028.

Speakers at the round table:

Vincent Martin (Host) – Director and creator of La Courbe verte core/paragraph
Thibaud Zamora – AI artist – Former Montpellier-based developer of successful video games
Thibaud Zamora – AI artist – Former Montpellier-based developer of successful video games
Agnès Robin – Lecturer at the University of Montpellier, Director of the “Intellectual Property and Digital Law” Master’s program, Deputy Director of the Innovation Communication and Market Laboratory (LICeM)
Patrice Cervellin – Lecturer at the Université Paul-Valéry – Montpellier, teacher-researcher in visual arts in the “Video Games” Master’s program.
Marion Carré – Founder of the start-up Ask Mona

→ watch the replay

Free admission subject to availability

European Heritage Days 2023

16/09/2023

10 h 30

Let’s celebrate the European Heritage Days together!
The European Heritage Days are an opportunity to visit unique heritage sites throughout France. Two themes will be highlighted this year: living heritage and sports heritage.

Come and meet the Montpellier 2028 team and try to win an Interrail Pass on Saturday September 16 at one of the following venues:

Angelotti Olympic pool
Presence of the M28 team: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The Olympic swimming pool opens its doors to celebrate its sporting heritage. To mark the occasion, a show by Le Cour Florent, “Nage libre”, will be presented on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 3pm.

Hôtel de Varennes
M28 team presence: from 12:00 to 13:00
Take an “80-minute tour of Montpellier” by (re)visiting the Hôtel de Varennes and the Musée du Vieux Montpellier, with guided tours on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am.

Arc de Triomphe
M28 team presence: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Discover the Arc de Triomphe from a rare angle – from the inside! An opportunity to climb the monument and see Montpellier from above.

Carré Sainte-Anne
M28 team presence: from 3.15pm to 4.00pm
An exceptional opening of the Sainte-Anne church during its renovation will take place throughout the weekend. In connection with the living heritage, the know-how of the stonemasons will be showcased.

Hôtel d’Aurès
M28 team presence: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Montpellier’s former conservatory, Hôtel d’Aurès, now home to Montpellier’s Pôle Culture et Patrimoine and Montpellier 2028, is open to the public. A baroque concert with Les Ombres will be performed there, on Saturday at 6:00 pm, as well as an object and clown theater show with Cie Le Septième Point, on Sunday at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Click here for the full program of the JEP in Montpellier

Find out how to win an Interrail Pass here

Montpellier 2028 in Elefsina 2023!

10/09/2023

A delegation from Montpellier 2028 visited the city of Elefsina, European Capital of Culture in 2023.

With a strong introduction into the artistic program thanks to the performance of Romeo Castellucci, specifically designed for the city’s archeological site.

The delegation toured the town, with thorough presentations and insights from the Elefsina 2023’s team – its artistic director, Michail Marmarinos, and coordinator Angeliki Lampiri – on how to activate the city’s industrial heritage and encourage the participation of its citizens. Then followed a fruitful discussion with the Culterra youth group, based in the city’s former train station, which actively contributes to the city’s development by creating sustainable sites for the youth, supported by the Belgian company Time Circus.

Next day, Children’s involvement in urban transformation projects, european collaborations, role of contemporary art in Athens—there were fruitful exchanges between Montpellier 2028 and the CommonSpace cooperative, as well as with Poka Yio, the director of the Athens Biennale.

It was also an opportunity to present the key aspects of the candidacy to Nicolas Eybalin, the director of the French Institute in Greece, and to discuss the hospitality policies of the cities of Montpellier and Sète, including artist residency projects within the candidacy’s territory.

Montpellier 2028 is giving away Interrail Passes!

10/09/2023

An Interrail Pass is an opportunity to travel by train in 33 European countries, for 7 days over a maximum period of 1 month! To win your Interrail Pass by drawing lots, come and meet us at the following events:

Montpellier 2028 celebrates the start of the new school year at the Antigone des associations!

On Sunday September 10, the city of Montpellier organizes the Antigone des associations in the Antigone district, an annual event where almost 900 sports, cultural and community associations are present. It’s a great opportunity to make new discoveries and find out more about our local community life.

Join us at the culture stand, place de Théssalie, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for your chance to win an Interrail Pass!

Click here for photo contest rules.

Montpellier 2028 celebrates the European Heritage Days!

Saturday, September 16, during the European Heritage Days, organized by the Metropole of Montpellier, which are an opportunity to visit unique heritage sites throughout the region.

Come and meet us at some of Montpellier’s most emblematic sites, and take part in our photo competition!

– 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Place Dionysos (Olympic pool/Médiathèque Emile Zola)

– 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Hôtel de Varenne

– 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Arc de Triomphe

– 3.15pm to 4pm at Carré Sainte-Anne

– 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Hôtel d’Aurès

Click here for photo contest rules.

Montpellier 2028 celebrates back-to-school with Paul Valéry University!

On Tuesday September 19, the Université Paul Valéry celebrates the start of the new academic year with its students. On the Don’t Panic program: entertainment, information, fitness, DJ set, food truck, student associations…

An opportunity for students to win an Interrail Pass, on the Paul Valéry university campus from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm!

Click here for photo contest rules.


How to enter our photo competitions?

1. Come and meet us at one of our events.

2. Photograph yourself with one of our photo frames in support of the Montpellier 2028 bid.

3. Post your best photos on your Instagram account, tagging @montpellier2028, with the hashtags #montpellier2028 and the various events.

Each time, a draw will be held to determine the winner. More information in the rules above.

Monptellier 2028 in Finland

23/07/2023

Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier, President of the Métropole de Montpellier, Sophie Léron, General Manager of Montpellier 2028 and Thomas Corolleur, International Relations Manager of Montpellier 2028 traveled to Helsinki and Oulu as part of Montpellier 2028’s application for the title of European Capital of Culture.

3 intense days of meetings and exchanges with Finnish counterparts to better understand their cultural strategies and explore collaborations. Officially welcomed at the French Embassy by her excellency Agnès Cukierman, the Mayor of Montpellier and his team then travelled up North, where Oulu will be in 2026, European Capital of Culture. Oulu’s mayor, Seppo Määttä, along with the team of Oulu 2026 – Piia Rantala-Korhonen, Henri Turunen – spent some valuable time showing and explaining how the city will be showcasing their cultural program, with a participatory approach and special focus on climate change issues. The two cities found common ground for future projects, like the Delta Life initiative supervised by Pia Alatorvinen, Director of Oulu August Festivals.

In Helsinki, the team of Montpellier 2028 toured major cultural landmarks and exchanged with key cultural players of the city: Anna-Maria Soininvaara, director of the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, Reetta Heiskanen, in charge of the Helsinki City Museum and Arja Miller, director of the Helsinki Art Museum and Helsinki Biennale. Montpellier 2028 even had the chance to meet Julia Ojanen who runs the Villa Karo, a finnish residency program in Benin.

Another opportunity to reaffirm Montpellier’s strong stand on European and African Cultural Collaborations.

Montpellier 2028 in Avignon

12/07/2023

10:30

It is in Avignon, the land of France’s largest live performance festival, that Montpellier, candidate city for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028, invited cultural and institutional actors for a day rich in exchanges and debates.

The event provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges of artist mobility, with the presence of Salia Sanou from Mouvements Perpétuels & La Termitière Company, Marie Le Sourd from “On the Move” Network, Gaelle Massicot Bitty from the French Institute, and Malgorzata Szlendak from the European Commission. Through their testimonies and experiences, they were able to provide a concrete mapping of the current situation and envision new perspectives crucial to cultural endeavors.

The concepts of the candidacy – Act, Connect, Celebrate – were presented along with the three artistic themes – water that connect us, serial future, trans? – that shape Montpellier 2028’s programming and try to address contemporary challenges, like youth participation, inclusion of artists from diverse origins and backgrounds. Adèle Charvet, President of the Montpellier 2028 Association, Nicolas Dubourg, Artistic Director of the candidacy, Sophie Léron, General Director of the candidacy, and members of the Montpellier 2028 Board of Directors, along with Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of the City of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, Sophie Bejean, Regional Rector of Occitanie and Rector of the Academy of Montpellier, Chancellor of the Universities, Vincent Cavaroc, Director of Tropisme, and Eric Servat, Director of the UNESCO Center, then announced the first edition of the Euro-Africa Biennial in Montpellier, which will take place from October 9th to 15th, 2023, another occasion to build connections and friendship between the two continents.

To conclude, Jérôme Hoffmann offered our guests a suspended moment with a captivating performance centered around the sounds of water, followed by a friendly cocktail inspired by the colors and flavors of the Mediterranean region and Sète’s rich culinary heritage.