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Words that heal: creative writing and mental health
Putting words to ailments, finding words, losing them, playing with them...
Bibliothèque Drouot (Paris 9th)
This event has ended.
About
A gentle encounter with pain
These two authors have very different relationships with mental health: Pauline Bilisari addresses intimate suffering and the feeling of malaise, while Philippa Motte speaks to us about pathology, bipolarity, and the frightening beauty of madness.
We will listen to them discuss their respective relationships to creation through the prism of mental health, and then 30 minutes will be dedicated to your questions.
Pauline Bilisari, a young poet, puts words to her malaise in her poems (Ma maison en fleurs) and has also just published a first young adult novel on this theme (Les astres brilleront toujours).
Philippa Motte published Et c’est moi qu’on enferme, where she recounts her forced hospitalization in a psychiatric ward at the age of 30. She is now a mental health specialist in the workplace.
Our take on this event
Witness an intimate dialogue between two authors who turn their personal mental health journeys into raw, evocative literature. This encounter is a deep dive into the power of words as a tool for healing and finding beauty in the midst of turmoil. Come prepared to explore the thin line between chaos and creativity through a truly moving discussion.
On Thursday, October 15, 2026, the Drouot Library hosts a literary discussion examining the intersection of creative writing and mental health. From 19:00 to 20:30, authors Pauline Bilisari and Philippa Motte share their personal experiences, discussing how writing serves as a tool to process suffering, bipolarity, and the complex nature of mental well-being. This event is entirely free of charge and open to attendees aged 18 and over. It offers a unique opportunity to explore raw, authentic testimonies and engage in a meaningful dialogue on mental health within the quiet atmosphere of a public library in the 9th arrondissement.
Visit the Drouot Library in Paris on October 15, 2026, for a thought-provoking evening focused on the intersection of literature and mental health. From 19:00 to 20:30, guest speakers Pauline Bilisari and Philippa Motte will discuss their creative processes in relation to their personal mental health journeys.
Pauline Bilisari, known for her poetry collection "Ma maison en fleurs" and her latest novel "Les astres brilleront toujours", brings her perspective on expressing emotional distress through art. She is joined by Philippa Motte, author of "Et c’est moi qu’on enferme", which chronicles her experience with forced psychiatric hospitalization. Today, Motte works as a corporate mental health specialist.
The session explores how writing can help navigate the complexities of the mind. Following the main discussion, a 30-minute Q&A segment will allow the audience to interact with the authors. Attendance is free, and the event is intended for adults aged 18 and up.
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