Le Printemps des Poètes en Sarthe

Le Printemps des Poètes en Sarthe: Poetry for Everyone, Everywhere

Since 2017, Le Printemps des Poètes en Sarthe has gradually expanded across the department, driven by the association Festivals en Pays de Haute-Sarthe in partnership with the media libraries of Conlie, Sillé-le-Guillaume, and Fresnay-sur-Sarthe, the Sarthe Lecture network, and the company CréatureS Cie. Initially focused on three libraries in northern Sarthe, the event has now extended to eight libraries and media libraries across three inter-municipal communities, with the support of the Departmental Council.

A Celebration of Poetry in All Its Forms

Le Printemps des Poètes en Sarthe stands out for the diversity of its artistic offerings:

• Readings and Voice Performances: Actors and volunteers bring poetic texts to life in libraries, schools, and public spaces.
• Slam and Oral Poetry: Slam poets and performance poets take over stages across the department.
• Shadow Theater and Poetic Performances: Companies present original theatrical forms centered around poetry.
• Writing Workshops: Authors guide participants in creating their own poetic texts.
• Sound Capsules: Recordings of recited poems are broadcast on Fréquence Sillé radio and in media libraries.
• Call for Texts: Residents are invited to write and share their own poems.
• Poetic Seed Bank: Seeds of poetry to sow and share.
• Poetic Postings: Poems are displayed in streets and public spaces.

A Unique Territorial Network

One of the strengths of Le Printemps des Poètes en Sarthe is its territorial anchoring. The event spans three inter-municipal communities:

• Champagne Conlinoise et Pays de Sillé
• Haute Sarthe Alpes Mancelles
• Maine Saosnois

In South Sarthe, the Odyssée library network coordinates events in the towns of Aubigné-Racan, Coulongé, Mayet, Pontvallain, Saint-Jean-de-la-Motte, and Vaas, offering a varied and entirely free program.

A Free and Participatory Event

True to the spirit of the national Printemps des Poètes, the Sarthe edition is entirely free and open to all audiences. The call for texts and writing workshops make it a deeply participatory event, where everyone can become an actor of poetry.