Le Grain de la Voix

Le Grain de la Voix: Living Poetry in Pau

Le Grain de la Voix is a festival dedicated to poetry and the voice in all its forms, organized by the Maison de la Poésie de Pau. Founded in 2014, this structure is the first Maison de la Poésie et des Écritures Contemporaines d'Aquitaine, a place for creation, dissemination, and mediation around living poetry.

The Voice in All Its States

The festival offers a program centered on the voice in all its diversity: from read text to song, from sound performance to conference, from slam to acoustic concert. Readings, performances, concerts, conferences, meetings, debates, signings, exhibitions, and artist residencies make up a rich and eclectic program that explores the multiple facets of vocal and poetic expression.

The City as a Stage

One of the festival's unique features is its integration into the urban fabric of Pau. Events take place in a wide variety of city locations: cafés, bookstores, media libraries, museums, universities, cinemas, chapels, casinos, art schools, theaters, private apartments, and public squares. This deliberate dispersion allows the festival to reach different audiences and bring poetry out of its usual venues.

A Network of Partners

The festival is supported by a dense network of Pau cultural partners: the Compagnie Écrire un Mouvement, La Centrifugeuse (UPPA cultural service), the ACP, the ESA des Pyrénées, the Maison des Femmes, the Tam-Tam Théâtre, Ampli, Poésie dans les Chais, the Éditions ATI, the Librairie Tonnet, and numerous city venues.

A Commitment to Living Poetry

Le Grain de la Voix champions an open and transversal vision of contemporary poetry, at the crossroads of literature, music, visual arts, and performing arts. The festival notably participates in the Printemps des Poètes and is committed to cultural democratization, fighting against aesthetic discrimination and making poetry accessible to all audiences.