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.
Thierry Breton, French business executive, corporate director, politician and author, presents his new book The Ten Sacrifices That Shaped France (Buchet-Chastel / Plon, 2025). Drawing on historical cases, Breton examines ten moments when France relinquished a core national value and traces their consequences up to today’s political landscape. The lecture offers a critical analysis of republican ideals, sovereignty and civic debate, inviting reflection on how history informs current policy and public discourse.
In French.
Step into a whimsical hat-filled world where a playful puppeteer searches for her missing cat and unlocks tiny universes atop her head. Mam’zelle Chapeau pulls one wild hat after another from round boxes: a spinning house, a blooming flower, a watching tree and a sunny beach. A tiny companion, Bibi, rattles marbles and scampers across musical hats as scenes unfurl and fade. A gentle, visual puppet show that sparks imagination and sensory discovery.
In French. Kids ages 2–5.
Choreographer Michèle Anne De Mey and filmmaker Jaco Van Dormael reunite to present Kiss & Cry, a compact performance that invents a ‘nano-dance’ language. Using finger dance, live theatrical presence and real-time cinematic projection, the piece explores tiny lives and intimate narratives through precise movement and cinematic framing. De Mey’s dramaturgical rigor and Van Dormael’s cinematic imagination create a poetic, tactile mise en scène. The performance is moderated by Joséphine de Weck.
François de Saint-Chéron, a literature PhD and associate professor at the Sorbonne, brings decades of research on André Malraux and has edited and curated major Malraux publications and exhibitions. Drawing on unpublished testimonies and rare accounts, he examines the life and work of the author of La Condition humaine to reveal a nuanced portrait beyond glamour and controversy, focusing on literary, political and artistic dimensions of Malraux’s career.
In French.
Martin Boujol, Geneva-born literary influencer and author of Le trésor des livres (Grasset, 2026), explores the pleasures and practice of reading. Drawing on his wide-ranging reading and personal reflections, Boujol examines the works that shaped his thought and offers practical guidance to rediscover reading as a means of critical reflection and joy. The session includes a conversation moderated by Typhaine Marc that highlights key themes and recommendations for readers.
In French.
Louis Arnaud, former French hostage detained for two years at Evin Prison, recounts his experience and the intellectual encounters that transformed him in The Inner Revolution (Éditions des Équateurs, 2026). He reflects on confinement, morality, identity and the philosophical guides—Seneca, Nietzsche, Lévinas and Rumi—that helped him attain inner freedom. This luminous testimony explores resilience, empathy and the human bonds formed under extreme conditions, offering insights for anyone facing hardship.
In French.
Your password has been reset successfully. You can now log in with your new password.
We’ve sent you a password reset email to the address provided. Please check your inbox and/or spam folder.
Please check your inbox for a verification email to complete your sign-up.
Culture, curated weekly.
Event removed from your CoolAgenda.
