Festival d'Avignon

The Festival d'Avignon, established in 1947 by Jean Vilar, is a prestigious international event for contemporary performing arts, recognized as one of the world's most significant gatherings of its kind. Every July, the city of Avignon transforms into a "city-theater," utilizing its architectural heritage as diverse performance venues, attracting tens of thousands of theater enthusiasts from around the globe.

Founded by Vilar with the intention of presenting a play by T.S. Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral, in the Palais des Papes, the Festival's inaugural edition featured three creations: Shakespeare's Richard II, Paul Claudel's Tobie and Sara, and Maurice Clavel's The Midday Terrace. This marked the beginning of the Festival as a platform for showcasing lesser-known works of the universal repertoire and modern scripts.

The Festival d'Avignon is not only a celebration of performing arts but also a spirit that permeates the city. Avignon becomes an open-air forum where festival-goers engage in discussions about shows and share their experiences as spectators. The event's program consists of various shows, readings, exhibitions, films, and debates, providing insights into the worlds of the invited artists and intellectuals.

Each evening during the Festival, there are one or more premieres, making Avignon a hub of artistic creation and adventure for both artists and spectators. The Festival's independence from political interference has been maintained since its inception, ensuring its artistic freedom and integrity.

The Festival's evolution can be divided into four distinct stages, reflecting its growth and transformation over the years. From its inception as a single-man, single-team, single-location event under Jean Vilar's leadership to its current form as a major international arts festival, the Festival d'Avignon has remained a beacon of contemporary performing arts.