Culturissimo

Culturissimo in Sens: When Great Culture Comes to Everyone

Culturissimo is a unique national program, supported by Espaces Culturels E.Leclerc. Its ambition: to organize entirely free cultural encounters in cities and towns across France, inviting personalities from the world of arts, theater, literature, and music to share their art and passion with all audiences, including those who usually shy away from institutional cultural circuits.

Readings by Great Actors

The heart of Culturissimo is reading aloud. Recognized actors and actresses—from the Comédie-Française, private theater, or cinema—come to read excerpts from literary works with all their interpretive skill. Reading here is not mere recitation but an artistic act in itself that brings texts to life, giving them substance and resonance.

Leading Personalities

Over the editions, Culturissimo has hosted prominent figures in Sens:

• Denis Podalydès, member of the Comédie-Française, for a reading of Célidan disparu in 2023
• Guillaume Gallienne, César award for best actor, for an encounter about Le Buveur de brume
• And many other actors and artists invited within the national framework of the program

A Two-Part Format

Each Culturissimo session unfolds in two complementary parts:

1. The Reading: The artist brings the text to life aloud, working on punctuation, tone, rhythm, diction, and silences. A true lesson in oratory art as much as in literature.
2. The Exchange: A discussion then opens with the audience, allowing for a deeper exploration of the artist's relationship with the read work, their profession as an actor, literature, and the texts that have marked them.

Free Admission as a Founding Principle

True to the philosophy of cultural democratization that drives Espaces Culturels E.Leclerc, Culturissimo is entirely free. Invitations can be collected at the Espace Culturel E.Leclerc of Sens Nord, at no cost. This complete accessibility allows reaching audiences who might not naturally think of attending a theater performance: families, retirees, high school students, and people distant from usual cultural practices.

Culturissimo in Sens: An Anticipated Event

In Sens, Culturissimo sessions are held at the Théâtre Municipal, a beautiful Italian-style theater in the heart of the city, or in other cultural venues in Sens. Each encounter is an exceptional moment, bringing together great art and proximity, literary rigor and the warmth of sharing. For many residents of Sens, these sessions represent their first direct contact with a major figure in French performing arts.