Festival 12000 Signes

A unique festival dedicated to the short story

The Festival 12000 Signes was a unique literary event, entirely dedicated to the art of the short story, a short literary genre which, as its name suggests, is traditionally limited to 12,000 characters. Created in 2019 by Benoît Fourchard and supported by the theater company Les Fruits du Hasard and the association 3 Patttes à 1 Canard, the festival has created a unique meeting point in the Nancy literary scene.

The short story in all its forms

For three days, the festival presented the short story in various and inventive forms:

• Musical readings: actors and musicians brought short stories to life in staged readings accompanied by live music
• Literary banquets: festive meals where dishes were accompanied by readings and literary performances
• Narrated walks: tours through Nancy punctuated by short story readings related to the places visited
• Author conversations: meetings with contemporary short story writers, discussions on the creative process
• Writing workshops: introductions to writing short stories, guided by professional authors

Iconic venues in Nancy

The festival took place in various cultural venues in Nancy: the LEM (Lieu d'Expression Musicale), the Jardin Botanique, independent bookstores, literary cafes, and other spaces in the city. This itinerancy offered an immersive and renewed literary experience.

A patron for each edition

Each edition of the festival was placed under the patronage of a renowned author. The first edition, in 2019, had the short story writer Claire Castillon as its patron. Subsequent editions hosted other figures from contemporary French literature.

The last edition: Le Chant des Signes

The sixth and final edition of the festival was held from November 7 to 9, 2025, under the title “Le Chant des Signes”. This final edition, presented in a reduced format due to budget cuts, marked the end of a festival that had highlighted the art of the short story and created bridges between literature, theater, and music for six years.

A literary heritage

Despite its end, the Festival 12000 Signes leaves a precious legacy: that of having demonstrated that the short story, often considered a minor genre, deserves a festival in its own right and can reach a wide audience through inventive and accessible presentation formats.