Biennale des Ailleurs

Charleville-Mézières, City of Poetry and birthplace of Rimbaud

The Biennale des Ailleurs draws its reason for being from the exceptional poetic identity of Charleville-Mézières. Hometown of Arthur Rimbaud, one of the most influential poets in world literature, the Ardennes city has been labeled Ville en Poésie since 2012. Every two years, in October, around the anniversary of Rimbaud's birth (October 20, 1854), the biennale transforms the city into a true hub of poetic creation, welcoming poets, artists, and lovers of words from all over France and beyond.

A dialogue between the arts around poetry

The Biennale des Ailleurs is not limited to poetry on the page. It creates a dialogue between different artistic forms around the poetic word: music, theater, performance, cinema, plastic arts, and visual arts. Poetry readings are held alongside concerts, street performances, installations, and screenings. This multidisciplinary approach reaches a wide audience and shows that poetry is alive, contemporary, and engaged with today's world.

Popular and festive events

Far from being a niche event, the Biennale des Ailleurs aims to be popular, festive, original, and diverse. Round tables and conferences are held alongside more playful events such as the Rimbolympics, a quiz competition with 170 questions about Arthur Rimbaud, or sand art performances in the street. Concerts by artists linked to poetry, such as Christian Olivier from Têtes Raides, liven up the evenings. The L8Zon space transforms the Salle de Nevers into a poetic headquarters with exhibitions and collaborative works by students.

An event rooted in Rimbaud's heritage

The biennale draws on the rich Rimbaud heritage of Charleville-Mézières: the Musée Rimbaud, the Maison des Ailleurs, and places associated with the poet's life. The 2024 edition, which celebrated the 170th anniversary of Rimbaud's birth, spanned ten days with poetic visits to care facilities, philosophical debates on Rimbaud and aesthetics, and conferences combining science and poetry. The biennale thus helps to keep the poet's legacy alive while fostering contemporary creation.