Les Estivales de Lods

Les Estivales de Lods: Where Poetry, Piano, and Philosophy Share the Same Breath

Every year in August, the village of Lods, nestled in the peaceful folds of the Loue valley near Ornans, hosts a unique festival where poetry, piano, and philosophy meet. The Estivales de Lods, organized by the association Les Amis de la Poésie, du Piano, de la Philosophie et des Arts, offers three days of intellectual and artistic sharing in an exceptional natural and heritage setting.

A Festival of Encounters and Sharing

Les Estivales de Lods aims to be a time for dialogue between the public and artists: writers, poets, pianists, composers, and philosophers gather for about ten events. Afternoons are dedicated to collective moments — round tables, readings, free discussions — and end with moments of conviviality, the famous "glasses of friendship" enjoyed in the heart of the village or on the heights of the castle.

Poetry and Piano Recitals

Evenings are dedicated to poetry and piano recitals, blending readings of poems from around the world with piano interpretations of works by Beethoven, Mahler, Saariaho, Durupt, and other composers. The festival highlights the living link between text and music, between generations and disciplines.

Piano Composition Prize on Poems

An original feature of Les Estivales de Lods is the piano composition prize based on poems, awarded each year. The winning work is performed at the closing recital, demonstrating the vitality of the dialogue between literary and musical creation. This prize reflects the festival's commitment to contemporary creation.

Poetry in the Streets and Participatory Workshops

The festival also features "Poetry in the Streets" processions, inviting the public to wander through the village with poetic readings. Workshops with the festival's pianists, composers, and readers allow participants to engage in artistic creation. The event is free and open to all, with the exception of certain concerts, illustrating the organizers' commitment to openness and sharing.