Les Zébrures Festival Opens in Limoges with Focus on Francophone Theatre and Eastern Perspectives
Scheduled to commence on September 23, 2026, the Zébrures festival, which celebrates French-language theatre, will take place in Limoges and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, concluding on October 3. The event will host theatre companies from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The festival will kick off with "La Terre s'en va sous nos pieds," performed by Cie Basinga and Collectif Kahraba from Lebanon. Artistic director Hassane Kassi Kouyaté emphasizes the financial difficulties facing francophone theatre. Special attention will be given to works from India and Korea, alongside African productions such as "Le silence des tabous" by Ulrich N’toyo and "Mansa Moussa Roi d’or." A roundtable discussion will address the cancelled Indian show "Requiem pour un théâtre qui n'a pas pu voir le jour," and a sign-language performance is planned for the International Day of Deaf People.
Key facts
- Les Zébrures festival opens on September 23, 2026, in Limoges and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
- It is the largest festival of francophone theatres, with companies from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
- The opening show is 'La Terre s'en va sous nos pieds' by Cie Basinga and Collectif Kahraba from Lebanon.
- Artistic director Hassane Kassi Kouyaté highlights economic challenges affecting francophone theatre globally.
- The 2026 edition focuses on the East, including India and Korea.
- African theatre is prominently featured, including 'Mansa Moussa Roi d’or - Les Ballets africains' with choreography by Georges Monboye.
- A roundtable will discuss the cancelled Indian production 'Requiem pour un théâtre qui n'a pas pu voir le jour' due to financial withdrawals.
- The festival includes a sign-language performance for the International Day of Deaf People and runs until October 3, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Hassane Kassi Kouyaté
- Ulrich N’toyo
- Serge Wolfsperger
- Edouard Elvis Bvouma
- Mamadou Condé
- Georges Monboye
- Manana Cissé
Institutions
- Les Zébrures
- Cie Basinga
- Collectif Kahraba
- Les Ballets africains
- RFI
Locations
- Limoges
- France
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Lebanon
- India
- Korea
- Guinea