Festival d'Avignon 2026 Program Critiqued for Conservative Lineup and Korean Focus

The 80th Festival d'Avignon, scheduled from July 4 to 25, 2026, under the direction of Tiago Rodrigues, is themed as a 'celebration of doubt.' However, it has faced backlash for its conservative lineup, which seems to favor audience approval over artistic experimentation. The festival will showcase familiar talents such as Julien Gosselin, Christiane Jatahy, and Isabelle Huppert, alongside fresh faces like Carolina Bianchi and Ahmed El Attar. Rodrigues has announced 47 performances, including 19 premieres and 27 by female artists, with an additional 14,000 tickets available. Korean is the chosen language for invited performances, raising concerns amid current global tensions. Some iconic venues remain underutilized, and the Mahabharata bar's performances have drawn criticism. An homage to Valère Novarina is also planned, while the side program 'Vive le sujet !' seeks to foster innovative exploration.