Just days before its closing, the Avignon Festival presents a largely positive assessment of its 80th edition, marked by a unique Korean program and, for the first time in its history, a majority of female directors. Directed for the fourth consecutive year by Tiago Rodrigues, this anniversary edition runs from July 4 to 25.
A packed program featuring 47 shows
This year, the festival offers 47 shows and nearly 300 events in total, including performances, discussions, and meetings, spread across 19 venues in 14 municipalities of Greater Avignon. Twelve countries are represented in the program, and 67% of the invited artists are performing in Avignon for the first time.
The edition had been opened in the Cour d'honneur of the Palais des papes by Maldoror, a five-hour epic creation by Julien Gosselin, before closing with Le Pas du monde by the XY circus collective, from July 22 to 25.
South Korea in the spotlight for the first time
After English, Spanish, and Arabic in previous editions, the festival has chosen to highlight the Korean language, with approximately 21% of its program dedicated to the country's theater, dance, and literature. Tiago Rodrigues justified this choice by explaining that he wanted to move beyond the mere soft power of K-pop and television series to showcase the richness of South Korean contemporary art.
This edition also marks a first in the festival's history with a majority of creations signed by women, 27 female directors against 16 male directors and 6 collectives, in a program placed under the theme of a festival of questions.
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