Marseille to Host Urgent Exploration of Identity & Community: ‘People and Culture’ Association Announces January 2026 Events
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – In a series of events poised to spark vital conversations, the Marseille branch of the ‘People and Culture’ association (Peuple et Culture) has announced a packed program for January 2026. Rooted in a powerful history of resistance and community building, these free events aim to tackle fundamental questions: What does it mean to be a people? And how do we make our voices heard?
A Legacy of Resistance: 80 Years of ‘People and Culture’
Founded during World War II as a network of “flying teams” training resistance fighters in the Vercors mountains, Peuple et Culture has a deeply embedded history of fighting for collective identity and expression. The association, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025, began as a direct response to Nazi occupation, offering education and cultural experiences to those fighting for liberation. Now, as the association looks ahead, it’s asking whether the challenges of today – issues of belonging, representation, and cultural understanding – are fundamentally different from those faced by its founders.
January 2026: A Diverse Program of Events
The January program offers a diverse range of opportunities for engagement, from scholarly dialogues to hands-on creative workshops. Here’s a glimpse of what’s on offer:
Dialogue with the Human Sciences: Unpacking French Identity
On January 7th, historians Gérard Noiriel and Jean-Paul Demoule will engage in a public dialogue centered around their recent books, The French People. History and Controversies and Eternal France, an archaeological investigation, respectively. This event, hosted at the Maupetit bookstore in collaboration with the ‘Elbows to Elbows’ association, promises a nuanced exploration of French identity and its complexities. This is a key event for anyone interested in the intersection of history, sociology, and cultural studies.
“Celebrating What Brings Us Together” – A Day of Shared Creation
January 17th will see the Bernard du Bois social center transformed into a hub of creativity and connection. The all-day event, “Celebrating What Brings Us Together,” invites participants to explore popular education through workshops, film screenings, podcast listening sessions, and access to the association’s archives. Highlights include a “Eat Your Words” cooking workshop with poet Mo Abbas, a collaborative drawing workshop for children, and an oral writing workshop led by poet Pierre Guéry. A shared meal will follow the morning’s culinary creativity.
Street Words & Roundtable Discussions: Amplifying Voices
The program continues with a series of engaging workshops. Marie Chéné’s “Street Words” workshop encourages participants to find poetry in the urban landscape, while a roundtable discussion, hosted by Radio Frog, will explore how cultural practices can be used to amplify marginalized voices. The roundtable features a diverse panel including directors, journalists, authors, and community organizers, promising a rich and insightful conversation.
Kamishibai Storytelling & Film Debates
The association will also showcase the kamishibai storytelling tradition with a reading of “choppy blue,” a collectively developed story, followed by a discussion with the book ambassadors involved in its creation. The month culminates with film debate sessions at Videodrome 2 on January 31st, featuring screenings of I’m outside and Boss souls, with the directors present to answer questions.
Ongoing Dialogues & Future Implications
Throughout January, Peuple et Culture will also host dialogues with students from the Lycée Saint Exupéry, continuing the association’s commitment to intergenerational exchange and critical thinking. These events are a continuation of meetings held throughout 2025, as the association grapples with the evolving meaning of “people” and “culture” in the 21st century.
With all events offered free of charge (though registration is required for some workshops), Peuple et Culture’s January 2026 program represents a powerful commitment to accessible culture and community engagement. For those seeking to understand the forces shaping identity and belonging in contemporary France – and beyond – these events offer a unique and invaluable opportunity. Registration details can be found at 06 41 98 37 95 or 07 75 95 05 00.
