FOCUS du COFEES : une journée de conférences sur la culture responsable à Marseille

FOCUS du COFEES (Collective of Eco-Responsible and Solidarity Festivals in the South Region) takes place on November 19, 2026, at the Biaggi campus in Marseille (13003). This day of discussions, workshops and exchanges brings together culture professionals, academics, local authorities and institutions around a central question: can events still be festive and responsible? Admission is free with registration.

At the Biaggi campus in Marseille, FOCUS du COFEES opens a debate on the future of committed cultural events

FOCUS du COFEES is an annual forum designed to bring together people working in culture to address the major challenges facing the events sector. For its second edition, the Biaggi campus in Marseille hosts a packed day of talks, roundtables and participatory workshops. The aim is to understand how events can withstand political, economic and environmental pressures while preserving the spirit of celebration and collective action. The day’s program was entrusted to eco-advisor Agnès Gerbe and David Irle of Bureau des Acclimatations, co-author of the book Décarboner la Culture. With opening and closing plenaries, parallel sessions and themed workshops, the program offers an approach that is both rigorous and participatory, inviting every participant to contribute actively to the discussions.

These conferences in Marseille are part of a collective effort that COFEES has been pursuing for several years. Rooted in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, the event reflects the commitment of a network of festivals and organizers who make social and environmental responsibility a central part of their work. In the face of headwinds, FOCUS aims to be a space for cooperation and solidarity, where everyone can share transformative experiences in the areas of the environment, inclusion and diversity.

A full program of workshops, testimonials and in-depth discussions

The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with a keynote by comic book author and feminist climate activist Blanche Sabbah on the theme “Resist: the cultural battle.” An opening plenary follows, also bringing together Marie-Paule Noël (Perros-Guirec Comic Book Festival), Hortense Guégan (philosopher and anthropologist) and Raphaël Herrerias of the group Terrenoire and Cultures Futures, moderated by journalist Juliette Poulain. The plenary sessions will be interpreted live into French Sign Language (LSF). In the middle of the day, four parallel sessions offer a range of themed workshops: Can inclusive celebrations be popular? (led by La Petite) The social value of celebration, with consultant Hélène Duclos Adapting to unpredictable weather, with representatives of the Ministry of Culture and ADEME sud PACA Sport and culture: rediscovering the spirit of play, with Nolwen Berthier and Alain Aria (CROS région Sud) The afternoon continues with a workshop on committed communication with audiences, followed by three more parallel sessions: reusable tableware at events, managing the risks associated with alcohol consumption at celebrations, and a much-anticipated workshop on adapting to heat. The latter brings together teams from Festival d'Avignon, Rencontres de la photographie d'Arles and Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, who will share practical experiments carried out during their 2026 editions. The day concludes with a closing plenary entitled “Do politicians still love to celebrate?”, followed by an alcohol-free aperitif from 5:45 p.m. FOCUS du COFEES prices at the Biaggi campus The day at the Biaggi campus is free with registration for all culture and event professionals. A hot and cold vegetarian buffet lunch (with gluten-free options) is available by reservation for €20. The end-of-day closing aperitif is also free with reservation.