The announcement of Clémentine Aubry as the newly appointed directrice déléguée of the Festival d’Avignon, effective Spring 2026, underscores a pivotal shift in the leadership structure of one of Europe’s most emblematic theatrical events, marking a continuity in public cultural service while opening avenues for strategic reinvention; having navigated over two decades within leading multidisciplinary cultural institutions, Aubry embodies a model of artistic stewardship focused on inclusivity, decentralisation, and territorial engagement, aligning with the Festival’s ethos under Tiago Rodrigues, who continues to embed global dramaturgical dialogues within the Avignon landscape. The February newsletter not only reflects this organisational evolution but highlights upcoming key initiatives reinforcing the Festival’s eco-responsibility and social accessibility, such as the fifth employment forum for people with disabilities and the invitation extended to the public by Brazilian artist Carolina Bianchi, in residence at La FabricA, to engage in collective reflection on her radical feminist dramaturgy, first introduced in 2023 with A Noiva e o Boa Noite Cinderela. Moreover, the Festival continues to mobilise solidarity-based cultural economics through technical and seasonal recruitments, accessible donations starting at €170, and the active cultivation of a patronage circle to nurture emerging voices and experimental forms. In parallel, the sustainability agenda is being deepened in collaboration with COFEES, delivering measurable impacts such as the 40% audience awareness of RSE practices and the introduction of eco-designed awareness tools. This commitment culminates in Rodrigues’ internationally resonant production Catarina e a beleza de matar fascistas, set to premiere in Portuguese at London’s National Theatre, reaffirming Avignon’s position as a generator of transnational artistic conscience. Such multilayered initiatives exemplify how cultural institutions adapt not only structurally but ideologically to contemporary urgencies, weaving together artistic innovation, civic engagement, and environmental ethics in a renewed festival grammar.
