Photo : Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris
Tricentenary of Gulliver's Travels - Musical Reading
Transport yourself into the boundless imagination of Jonathan Swift with an evocative performance where literature meets traditional Irish melody. Expert storytelling weaves through a landscape of haunting chords, offering a fresh, rhythmic perspective on a timeless masterpiece. This is a rare chance to lose yourself in a voyage that feels as adventurous today as it did centuries ago.
Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris (BHVP)
About
Celebrate the tercentenary of Gulliver's Travels at the Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. This musical reading features actor Théophile Choquet and traditional Irish musician Rachael Ní Leannáin exploring Jonathan Swift's iconic work. Designed for audiences aged 12 and up, the event runs from 19:00 to 20:30. Participation is free, though booking is required to attend. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring all guests can enjoy this tribute to Irish culture organized in honor of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union.
A jewel of Irish literature, Gulliver's Travels has deeply influenced generations of readers around the world. This year also marks the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union held by Ireland since July, for a period of six months. This dual focus offers an opportunity to rediscover this mythical text and celebrate the vitality of Irish culture. In parallel with this evening, the Historical Library is presenting a selection of documents and originals from its collections, highlighting the richness of Jonathan Swift's work.
With
Théophile Choquet is an actor and director. Trained at the Metz Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, then at the Strasbourg Conservatory, and holding a Master's degree in theatrical studies from the University of Paris 3 Sorbonne Nouvelle, he creates and performs shows in France and around the world. His artistic approach defends an open vision of theater, where literature and poetry meet, often in atypical places (churches, historical monuments, libraries, boats). He also speaks at conferences devoted to the performing arts around the world. In 2025, he is a guest programmer for the FIGA Festival in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
Biography to come
In partnership with the Centre Culturel Irlandais
Our take on this event
Join us on October 14, 2026, at the Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris for a special musical reading marking the 300th anniversary of Gulliver's Travels. From 19:00 to 20:30, performer Théophile Choquet and multi-instrumentalist Rachael Ní Leannáin will bring the classic Irish text to life. This event highlights the cultural vitality of Ireland during its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The session is open to visitors aged 12 and older. Alongside the performance, the library will showcase a curated selection of rare documents and original pieces from its collection, detailing the legacy of Jonathan Swift. The event is free of charge, but guests must reserve their spots in advance. The facility is equipped to be wheelchair accessible.
This evening is presented in partnership with the Centre Culturel Irlandais and supported by the DRAC Ile-de-France. For those wishing to further their discovery, the exhibition Gulliver 300 remains on display at the Centre Culturel Irlandais until November 13.
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