Festival Primeurs

A bridge between French-language writing and German-language stages

The Festival Primeurs is a unique cultural event, born from the desire to create artistic exchanges between France and Germany around French-language dramatic writing. Since 2006, this cross-border festival has allowed many French-language plays to find their way to German-language stages, thus contributing to the influence of French-language dramatic creation far beyond the borders of the Francophonie.

Six texts to discover

Each edition of the festival presents a selection of six dramatic texts chosen from the most significant French-language creations of the season. These texts are presented in various formats: readings accompanied by voice direction, staged readings with scenography, or radio plays created especially for the occasion by SR 2 KulturRadio. This diversity of formats allows for the exploration of the multiple facets of each work.

Meetings with the authors

One of the riches of the Festival Primeurs lies in the systematic presence of authors and translators at each performance. After each presentation, an exchange with the public allows for discussion of the text, the translation, and the creative process. These moments of dialogue form the vibrant heart of the festival and promote a deep understanding of the works presented.

Bilingual accessibility

All performances are subtitled in French and German, ensuring full accessibility for both linguistic audiences. This bilingual dimension reflects the cross-border identity of the Moselle and Saar regions, and makes the festival a privileged meeting place between French-speaking and German-speaking cultures.

Four institutional partners

The Festival Primeurs is supported by four complementary partners: Le Carreau – Scène nationale de Forbach et de l'Est mosellan, which anchors the festival in the Moselle cultural landscape; the Staatstheater Saarbrücken (Saarland State Theatre), whose Alte Feuerwache venue hosts most of the performances; SR 2 KulturRadio, which produces the radio plays; and the Institut français de Sarrebruck, which ensures the Franco-German cultural link.

Free shuttle between Forbach and Saarbrücken

To facilitate public participation on both sides of the border, free shuttles are provided between Forbach and Saarbrücken during the four days of the festival. This logistical arrangement demonstrates the organizers' commitment to breaking down geographical barriers and promoting cross-border cultural mobility.

A springboard for French-language dramaturgy

Over the years, the Festival Primeurs has established itself as a major springboard for French-language dramaturgy towards the German-speaking world. Many texts presented at the festival have subsequently been translated, published, and staged in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, contributing to the international dissemination of French-language theatrical writing.