11:00 — 13:00 Workshop Cultural ONGs: How Can We Protect Our Freedom?
Hôtel 71
Drawing on the Observatoire’s methodology, this workshop offers a collective skills-building session to better understand the challenges affecting cultural organisations, the mechanisms behind them, and the possible ways to respond..
With Marie Garmadi (Observatoire des libertés associatives, FR)
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11:00 — 13:00 Musique Speed meeting Sacem Electro Tour
Hôtel71
Initiated by SACEM, this speed-meeting event allows young artists from the region to better understand their rights and to meet various professionals from the electronic music sector.
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14:00 — 15:00 Round table What alliances should be forged for culture?
Hôtel71
Collectives, unions, European networks, coalitions: alliances in the cultural sector today take many different forms. Whether formed across geographic or sectoral lines, these connections have become essential to sustaining these ecosystems and defending their values. This is particularly true in the music scene, which is facing increasing market concentration among festivals and venues. A similar dynamic is at work in the publishing sector, where consolidation is prompting publishers to come together through collective initiatives.
At the same time, European and Canadian networks are being encouraged to strengthen their ties, at a moment marked by the resurgence of U.S. imperialism, which threatens their respective independence. In Europe, such solidarities are also crucial for cultural organisations that have become targets of authoritarian regimes seeking to impose their narratives and bring independent cultural scenes under control.
During this discussion, representatives from various collective initiatives will come together to outline strategies for building coalitions and alliances to protect a cultural sector under pressure—spanning France and Canada, and across the fields of music (with the Syndicat des Musiques Actuelles and the Canadian festival network Le REFRAIN), media, and publishing.
With Patrick Kearney (Le REFRAIN, CN), Stéphane Krasniewski (Les SUDS / SMA, FR)
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15:30 — 16:30 Round table The independence of culture and the media under threat from authoritarian regimes
Hôtel71
Around the world, when authoritarian regimes come to power, they systematically and methodically target the same types of organisations. Media outlets, associations, cultural institutions and universities become the focus of governments seeking to impose a reactionary and nationalist narrative. In the context of this cultural battle and these repeated attacks on independence, a range of strategies are deployed by governments aiming to bring civil society under control. Delegitimisation, funding cuts, dismissals of leadership, criminalisation of associations: these patterns are replicated from one country to another.
These dynamics will be explored during this discussion, with Iranian artist Hura Mirshekari sharing insights into the situation facing artists in her home country. Jennifer Laourou, from the NGO Artistic Freedom Initiative, will present her organisation’s research on the state of artistic freedom in Europe and worldwide, while legal expert Sophie Lemaître will examine how media and NGOs are constrained by the law. The discussion will be moderated by Léna Mauger, co-founder of Kometa magazine.
With Sophie Lemaître (juriste, FR), Hura Mirshekari (artiste, IR), Jennifer Laourou (Artistic Freedom Initiative, FR)
Moderation : Léna Mauger (Kometa, FR)
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17:00 — 18:00 Talk with StreetPress Media independence — and what’s next?
Hôtel 71
Independent media play a crucial role in our democracies. The support of hundreds of thousands of citizens, through subscriptions, helps to keep their independence. While this model can strengthen editorial autonomy, it also raises questions about the formats to be developed, the angles to be chosen, and the subjects to be covered—often ones that cannot be produced within media serving particular interests.
How can journalists, video creators and independent media turn this freedom into real editorial strength, without imitating mainstream outlets or simply reacting to them? How can media independence enable them to play a meaningful role in cultural debate?
With Jo Weisz (StreetPress, FR) , Lumi (Blast, FR), Reha Simon (Histoires Crépues, FR)
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14:30— 15:30 Masterclass Sacem Electro Tour
Hôtel 71
A talk and discussion centred on the career of an artist jointly selected by Sacem and Nuits sonores, aimed at emerging local artists.
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16:15 — 16:45 Artist Talk Faire vivre un festival indépendant à Taïwan
Les Grandes Locos — Scène Darse
During this Artist Talk, Sonia Calico—artist and director of the Glowball Festival—will discuss the challenges and contemporary realities of running an independent cultural project in Taipei, Taiwan.
The conversation will explore the festival’s origins, its local roots, as well as the broader context of organising independent events within Taiwan’s cultural landscape.
With: Sonia Calico (artiste, TN), Louise Grossen(Balafre, FR)
→ Requires a ticket for DAY 1
18:00— 23:00 Radio Lab FIP
Les Grandes Locos — Radio
For over 50 years, FIP has been much more than just a radio station: it is a musical journey created by music lovers for music lovers. A unique, free-spirited station that pushes the boundaries of genres. With FIP, every day is a new sonic adventure. A partner of Nuits sonores for several years, the queen of musical radio will once again take over the festival’s radio stage at the Days site for two days of live broadcasts with the festival’s artists.
→ Requires a ticket for DAY 1
Louise Grossen
