Photo : Centre Culturel Baschet
Restitution - Storytelling and music visit the Jacqueline de Romilly library
Discover the work accomplished during a series of musical storytelling workshops with a group of multicultural adults at the Jacqueline de Romilly library
Bibliothèque Jacqueline de Romilly (Paris 18th)
This event has ended.
About
On Friday evenings at the library, a conversation group of adults from diverse backgrounds (China, Lebanon, Bolivia, Bangladesh, USA, Spain, Russia...), residing in the Porte de Montmartre neighborhood, gathers to meet people and strengthen their French language skills. In October 2026, Mathieu Desfemmes and Philippe Gautier will facilitate 4 creative storytelling workshop sessions with the participants. A presentation of this encounter and their joint work will take place on Saturday, October 17 at 10:30 AM for library patrons of all ages in the activity room.
EN CIE DESFEMMES, specializing in the art of storytelling, creates musical tales and develops and facilitates theater and music workshops for children and adults. The company is supported by the association Le Cabaret des Oiseaux and has been active in the Ile-de-France region and nationwide for over 15 years with shows and workshops that celebrate storytelling in theaters, festivals, libraries, and schools. The company is primarily composed of a storyteller/guitarist duo: Mathieu Desfemmes collects traditional tales from the West and East, and America, offering contemporary writing and interpretation while respecting the oral tradition of storytelling from the last few centuries; and Philippe Gautier, guitarist, artist, and teacher at the conservatory in Essonne, sets them to music and song.
Our take on this event
Step into a tapestry of global voices brought to life through the magic of storytelling and live acoustic music. This vibrant performance celebrates the diverse souls of the neighborhood who have come together to weave their personal histories into a shared musical adventure. It is a rare chance to hear ancient traditions reimagined with modern soul in a cozy, intimate setting.
Join us at the Jacqueline de Romilly library on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for a special presentation of storytelling and music. Throughout October, local residents from the Porte de Montmartre neighborhood have collaborated with artists Mathieu Desfemmes and Philippe Gautier to craft original tales. This event showcases the results of four creative workshops aimed at building community and language skills. The session is free, open to all, and wheelchair accessible. It will take place in the library's activity room starting at 10:00 to celebrate this unique multicultural project in the heart of the 18th arrondissement.
The Jacqueline de Romilly library presents a unique storytelling session, marking the conclusion of a creative project held in October 2026. For four sessions, a group of adult residents from the Porte de Montmartre area gathered to share their diverse cultural backgrounds and collaborate on original tales, fostering language practice and community connections.
The project is led by the duo behind the organization En Cie Desfemmes: storyteller Mathieu Desfemmes and guitarist Philippe Gautier. With over 15 years of experience in performing and teaching, they specialize in blending traditional oral narratives with contemporary music. Mathieu adapts international stories while Philippe provides a live musical backdrop, a signature style they have shared across festivals and libraries throughout the region.
The final performance is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00 in the library's activity room. Attendance is free for all members of the public. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
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