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Storytelling Lecture – "Cent Nouvelles nouvelles: Is the pleasure of ribaldry obsolete today?" by Claude Mastre
"Cent Nouvelles nouvelles": According to Roger Dubuis, professor emeritus of oral literature, this collection is by no means an obscene book, mocking moral laws... a subject for discussion.
Tiers Lieu "Faire-Liens", 44 rue du Dr Finley, 75015 Paris
About
Claude Mastre is a teacher. At the same time, he dedicates himself to storytelling and has become a professional of the spoken word. He attended Bruno de La Salle's workshop and draws his inspiration from a wide variety of registers.
According to Roger Dubuis, professor emeritus of oral literature, this collection is not an obscene book that mocks moral laws. Our ancestors did not bother with pretense. Their optimistic good health allowed them to call things by their name. From the moment the theme of sexuality is addressed, it is considered taboo; our ancestors rejected silence and allusion. Their laughter is not quite ours; doesn't our astonishment at their coarseness go hand in hand with a certain hypocrisy? Contrasting their laughter with ours does not seem useless. This collection also contains serious, grave, and even dramatic stories.
Our take on this event
Forget the sanitized language of today and dive into the unfiltered spirit of our ancestors through these timeless tales. This event challenges you to contrast modern reserve with the bold, unapologetic wit of medieval storytelling. Expect a literary experience that is as surprising as it is refreshing.
Teacher and professional storyteller Claude Mastre hosts a lecture titled Cent Nouvelles nouvelles: Is the pleasure of 'gauloiserie' obsolete today? on Friday, November 13, 2026. This event explores the evolution of humor, sexual taboos, and societal hypocrisy by comparing historical oral literature with our modern perspectives. Held at the 'Faire-Liens' venue in the 15th arrondissement, the session is open to adults aged 18 and over, with a ticket price of 13€. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfortable attendance for all participants during this morning talk scheduled from 10:00 to 12:00.
Join storyteller Claude Mastre at the 'Faire-Liens' center on Friday, November 13, 2026, for a thought-provoking session dedicated to the collection of the 'Cent Nouvelles nouvelles'. Drawing on insights from literature professor Roger Dubuis, Mastre examines how our ancestors navigated themes of sexuality with an optimism and frankness that often contrast sharply with contemporary sensibilities. The lecture invites attendees to reflect on whether our current astonishment at past vulgarity reveals a degree of modern hypocrisy.
Running from 10:00 to 12:00, the presentation highlights that these ancient stories go beyond simple humor, encompassing serious and dramatic narratives as well. It provides a unique opportunity to contrast historical laughter with our own.
Tickets are priced at 13€, and the event is restricted to adults aged 18 and up. Located at 44 rue du Dr Finley, 75015 Paris, the facility is fully wheelchair accessible for all guests.
