Photo : Victoire tuaillon
RENVERSER LA TABLE with Victoire Tuaillon – Why engage in activism in the 'Camp of Good'?
Faced with all the world's misfortunes, discouragement looms. What forms of engagement and activism should one turn to if one wants to act for a better world? Is it possible to be an activist without violence and to fight without sectarianism? On her microphone, Victoire Tuaillon invites activists and researchers to express themselves without jargon or taboos for public recordings of her podcast "Renverser la table".
MAIF Social Club (Paris 3rd)
About
Over the last twenty years, the greatest social movements have most often been fiercely repressed, such as the Yellow Vests or anti-racist and environmentalist movements (Justice for Adama, ZAD, Sainte-Soline…). How can we explain the discrediting or even criminalization of activists for all these causes?
For this first session, we will take care to define the terms: what does it mean concretely to be an activist today, in France, in 2026? Why is activism essential to any true democracy?
Around the table, three guests claim and think about their activism.
Alice Coffin and Fatima Ouassak are two seasoned activists who dare to proclaim it: they are part of the Camp du Bien (Camp of Good) (Les Liens qui Libèrent, 2026). In their collaborative manifesto, written with urgency "with a knot in their stomachs and a target on their backs", Alice Coffin, journalist, feminist politician, author of Génie lesbien (Lesbian Genius) (Grasset, 2020) and Fatima Ouassak, political scientist, co-founder of the Mothers' Front, author of La Puissance des mères (The Power of Mothers) and Pour une écologie pirate (For a Pirate Ecology) (La Découverte, 2021 and 2023), theorize the great movements of our time. They propose radical but achievable solutions to face the 2027 elections: "We will not just block, we will surge."
Alongside them, Johan Faerber, teacher, literary critic and doctor of literature, author of Militer, verbe sale de l’époque (Activism, the dirty verb of the era) (Autrement, 2024), questions, through several resounding cases, the possibilities and limits of social, political and cultural activism in France. His conviction: "To stop being an activist is to accept staying silent."
A discussion without fluff to understand why there can be no democracy without activists... and why "getting involved" is not enough! Followed, as in every session, by a time to learn an activist song together.
Our take on this event
Activism is often met with resistance, yet it remains the beating heart of a functioning democracy. This intense discussion gathers leading voices to deconstruct the current landscape of social movements and explore why fighting for change is not just a right, but a necessity. Come ready to challenge your own perspectives and leave with a renewed sense of purpose.
Join us at the MAIF Social Club on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 19:30 to 21:00 for an insightful discussion titled Renverser la table. Moderated by Victoire Tuaillon, this event examines the role of activism in modern France, exploring the tensions between political repression and democratic necessity. Guest speakers Alice Coffin, Fatima Ouassak, and Johan Faerber will address the challenges of civic engagement ahead of the 2027 elections. The evening concludes with a shared session on learning an activist song together. This event is free to attend, though registration is required, and is open to participants aged 18 and older.
The MAIF Social Club in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement hosts this session dedicated to the state of activism. Moderator Victoire Tuaillon leads a debate on why social movements, from environmental causes to anti-racist campaigns, have faced increasing delegitimization and repression in recent years. By examining the current climate of 2026, the discussion seeks to clarify why active participation is essential for a healthy democracy.
The panel features three distinct voices. Journalists and activists Alice Coffin and Fatima Ouassak share insights from their joint manifesto, Le Camp du Bien, proposing strategies for the upcoming 2027 elections. They are joined by Johan Faerber, a literary critic and author of Militer, verbe sale de l’époque, who investigates the social and cultural constraints on modern political involvement. The conversation aims to move beyond superficial discourse, emphasizing that active engagement is more than just a gesture.
The event runs from 19:30 to 21:00. As is tradition for this series, the formal discussion is followed by a collective workshop where attendees learn an activist song together. Admission is free for all adults aged 18 and over, but please ensure you reserve your spot in advance to attend.
