Festiv·iel

Festiv·iel: A Festival for All Genres

Created in 2021 by the Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse (TXR), Festiv·iel is a unique event in the French cultural landscape. Dedicated to inclusive feminism, queer cultures, and issues of gender and sexuality, this festival dares to directly address the topics that shape our times, with the artistic rigor that characterizes TXR and the necessary benevolence to welcome all voices.

An Artistic and Political Commitment

Festiv·iel does more than just program shows: it creates a space for reflection and celebration where art becomes a tool for social transformation. The festival pursues a triple ambition: to fight against discrimination and violence, to encourage individual and collective empowerment, and to offer a place where issues of sisterhood, ecofeminism, and the deconstruction of patriarchy find their artistic expression.

A Demanding and Pluralistic Program

Festiv·iel's program combines theater, performance, dance, "conférences gesticulées" (gesticulated conferences), and encounters with committed figures. Artists such as Rébecca Chaillon, Adèle Haenel, Ovidie, and Titiou Lecoq have marked previous editions with their presence and their free expression. Each performance is chosen for its ability to question, move, and transform the spectator's view of gender norms and power dynamics.

Growing Success

In five editions, Festiv·iel has experienced remarkable growth. The 2024 edition attracted over 5,000 spectators, while the 2025 edition surpassed the 8,000 spectator mark with a 96% occupancy rate. These figures demonstrate the public's appetite for a festival that combines artistic excellence and uncompromising societal commitment.

The Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse: A Militant Venue

Located at place Joannès Ambre in the heart of the 4th arrondissement, the Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse has long been committed to the struggles for equality and diversity. By creating Festiv·iel, TXR affirmed its desire to make theater a political space in the noble sense of the term, where artistic creation dialogues with contemporary struggles for a more just and inclusive society.

Beyond the Shows

Festiv·iel also offers meeting times between artists and audiences, post-show discussions, debates, and workshops that extend the reflection initiated on stage. The festival thus creates an ephemeral community united by the desire to collectively think about issues of gender, sexuality, and identity through the prism of living art.