Founded in 1818, the Société de Lecture (SDL) is a cultural institution nestled in Geneva’s Old Town. Housed in an 18th-century building, the SDL serves as a hub for relaxed intellectual exchange. Functioning as a library with an extensive book collection, the Société de Lecture also hosts diverse cultural events, including a full rich program of literary conferences, debates, workshops, and even yoga classes. Notably, it offers a diverse program for children.
Author Giles Milton, known for his bestselling narrative histories, presents an investigation of the wartime alliance between Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt. Drawing on previously unpublished correspondence and sources, Milton examines the motivations, negotiations and personal dynamics that enabled cooperation against Nazi Germany. The talk unpacks key decisions and the human factors behind them, revealing how these leaders shaped the modern world.
In English.
Laure Adler, journalist, essayist, editor and radio producer, trained in history and philosophy, is a leading figure of French cultural life. Renowned for her feminist activism and acclaimed biographies — including a Prix Femina-winning portrait of Marguerite Duras — Adler examines memory, testimony and archival silence. Drawing on her night at Yad Vashem for the Ma nuit au musée series, she reflects on the archives and human stories at the heart of Holocaust history. Moderated by Manuel Carcassonne.
In French.
Arnaud Miranda, born in 1997, holds a Ph.D. in political theory and is affiliated with the Center for Political Research at Sciences Po. Winner of the Fondation des Treilles Young Researcher Award in 2024 and author of Les Lumières sombres (Gallimard, winner of the 2026 Revue des Deux Mondes Prize), he examines American neo-reactionary thought. The lecture investigates how this movement, bolstered by technology and conservative networks, threatens democratic norms, exploring masculinism, biologism and the rise of a radical counterculture. Moderated by Serge Michel.
In French.
Author Elisa Shua Dusapin presents a reflective talk based on her book Sauf la frontière, which recounts encounters across Lebanon and Jordan and reflections sparked by events near the Israel border. Free from moral simplifications, she examines violence, memory and movement with a luminous yet somber voice. The discussion explores how personal travel and literary inquiry illuminate complex regional realities and ethical ambiguity.
In French.
The Croque-Livres Festival returns to the Société de Lecture in Geneva for its 4th edition, bringing together renowned children’s authors and illustrators for a lively celebration of books and creativity. Designed for children from 6 months to 10 years old, the festival features interactive storytelling, creative workshops, drawing activities, performances and opportunities to meet the artists.
Enjoy open-access workshops, autograph sessions throughout the day from 10 am to 5 pm, and free performances on Saturday and Sunday. Workshops requiring registration will be available to book online in October.
In French.
Katie Kitamura, a New York–based novelist, journalist and art critic, discusses her novel Audition, a bold, stark, genre‑bending work marked by controlled menace and visionary impact. The conversation examines the book’s themes of desire, identity and ambiguous relationships, and explores Kitamura’s narrative strategies and critical approach. Moderated by Raphaëlle Liebaert, the session offers close reading and insight into contemporary fiction and craft.
In English.
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