Les Monstrueuses Rencontres

Les Monstrueuses Rencontres: A Festival By and For Children

Since 2008, the Monstrueuses Rencontres have animated the town of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, in the heart of Drôme des Collines, every spring. This festival, led by the MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse, is much more than just a cultural event: it is a true educational and artistic project that mobilizes nearly 900 children and teenagers throughout the year.

A Project Rooted in National Education and Popular Education

Les Monstrueuses Rencontres was born from a partnership between the MJC, the National Education system, and the popular education movement. Throughout the school year, children follow a theatre workshop program led by professional artists. This long-term work culminates in the creation of performances that the young people present on the festival stage, in front of an enthusiastic audience of families, friends, and spectators from all over the region.

A Rich and Varied Program

The festival offers an eclectic program combining shadow theatre, puppetry, storytelling, street performances, and original creations. Professional companies from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region rub shoulders with amateur troupes and school groups, creating an atmosphere of sharing and discovery. Each edition explores a different universe, between fantasy, poetry, and imagination, offering both young and old a unique artistic and cultural adventure.

Ten Days of Celebration at Espace des Collines

The festival unfolds over ten days, from mid-May to the end of May, at the Espace des Collines in Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse. Indoor and outdoor performances, creative workshops, activities, and moments of conviviality punctuate the program. A festive opening ceremony marks the kick-off of each edition, bringing together artists, children, families, and volunteers in a warm atmosphere.

A Festival Accessible to All

Eager to remain accessible to as many people as possible, the festival offers moderate prices: 10 euros for the full price, 7 euros for the reduced price for under-18s, job seekers, and grandparents, and a festival pass at 24 euros for four entries. Children participating in the creations benefit from a special price of 5 euros.

Les Monstrueuses Rencontres embodies a generous and demanding vision of culture for all, where live performance becomes a tool for social connection, expression, and development for young people.