Dire, Lire et Conter

A Festival at the Heart of the Library Network

The Dire, Lire et Conter festival was born in the early 2000s from the desire of the Montluçon Communauté library network to promote the art of storytelling and oral narration to all audiences. Every autumn, for several weeks, the Boris-Vian library in Montluçon, Léo-Ferré in Désertines, Co-Libris in Domérat, the Fontbouillant library, as well as other cultural venues in the area, host storytelling sessions led by professional spoken-word artists.

The 2025 edition marked the 22nd edition of the festival, confirming its lasting presence in the cultural landscape of the Allier region. The program, which runs from mid-September to the end of October, takes place in the towns of Montluçon, Désertines, Domérat, Saint-Victor, Prémilhat, and Huriel, bringing storytelling closer to the residents of the community.

The Art of Storytelling for All Ages

The strength of Dire, Lire et Conter lies in its ability to appeal to all audiences. The sessions are carefully adapted to different age groups: shows for toddlers from 18 months, stories for children, narratives for teenagers, and evening storytelling for adults. The invited artists—storytellers, actor-narrators—unfold diverse universes blending traditional tales, popular legends, contemporary stories, musical stories, and paper theater.

Among the artists who have participated in recent editions are Arnaud Redon (medieval tales), Christel Delpeyroux (stories between reality and imagination), David Linkowski (interactive tales), Le Petit Théâtre Dakôté (paper theater), Frédérique Lanaure, and Sylvie Vieville. These artists open the doors to extraordinary and surprising worlds, inviting the public to rediscover the pleasure of listening and sharing stories.

Free Access and Proximity: A Strong Cultural Commitment

Admission to all festival sessions is completely free, subject to availability. This free access, maintained since the festival's creation, reflects Montluçon Communauté's commitment to making culture accessible to everyone and encouraging the practice of reading and listening from an early age. The festival is fully aligned with the library network's mission: to bring books and spoken word to life as vectors of social connection and discovery.

By extending to the various towns in the community, Dire, Lire et Conter creates a local cultural network that allows every resident to enjoy a storytelling moment close to home. Sessions in assisted living facilities, children's centers, and schools extend this approach of reaching out to audiences furthest from cultural offerings.