Photo : @alliancefrançaisedeparis
In Praise of Disagreement
What if disagreement were one of the conditions of our freedom? A discussion between Aida Tavakoli and Saena Delacroix-Sadighiyan, authors of In Praise of Disagreement (Les Belles personnes, 2026) and Bruno Frère, co-author of For a Wild Democracy (La Découverte, 2026)
Alliance française de Paris (Paris 6th)
About
In an era where it is becoming difficult to talk to those who do not think like us, disagreement is often experienced as a threat. But what if it were actually one of the conditions of our freedom?
Saena Delacroix-Sadighiyan and Aïda Tavakoli engage in a dialogue with Bruno Frère to explore conflict, speech, and democracy.
How can we debate without erasing ourselves? How can we recognize an opponent without reducing them to an enemy? How can we turn disagreement not into a fracture, but into a vital force of democracy?
Our take on this event
Disagreement is far from being a threat; it is the vital spark that keeps democracy alive. Join this sharp exchange as experts unpack the art of navigating conflicting views without turning every debate into a battlefield. It is the perfect chance to rethink how we relate to those who challenge our own certainties.
The Alliance française de Paris hosts Eloge du désaccord on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 19:00 to 21:00. This event invites participants to explore the role of disagreement in contemporary democracy, questioning why conflicting viewpoints are often perceived as threats rather than opportunities for growth. Through a dialogue featuring Saena Delacroix-Sadighiyan, Aïda Tavakoli, and Bruno Frère, attendees will examine how to maintain constructive debates while respecting diverse opinions. This intellectual gathering is free of charge and open to everyone interested in the dynamics of public speech and civic engagement in today's society.
In an era where communicating across opposing viewpoints proves increasingly challenging, the event Eloge du désaccord examines the vital importance of dissent. Hosted at the Alliance française de Paris on November 20, 2026, the discussion challenges the common perception that disagreement is a social threat, proposing instead that it acts as a fundamental pillar of personal and collective freedom.
The session runs from 19:00 to 21:00 and features a collaborative dialogue between speakers Saena Delacroix-Sadighiyan, Aïda Tavakoli, and Bruno Frère. The panel will explore practical methods for navigating political and social debates without losing one's own voice. The conversation aims to address essential questions, such as how to distinguish a legitimate adversary from an enemy and how to harness dissenting voices to strengthen the democratic process rather than creating societal fractures.
Located at 101 boulevard Raspail in the 6th arrondissement, the event is free to attend. It provides a unique setting for those wishing to deepen their understanding of how to engage in healthy, productive discourse within our current political climate.
