Mouthpieces

An event celebrating the graduates
of the DNSEP and Master’s in Creative Writing programs;
from ÉSADHAR and ULHN;
April 2–4, 2026;
Opening reception on April 2 at 6:45 p.m.;
Le Portique, Le Havre

ésadhar, in partnership with Le Portique—Le Havre’s regional center for contemporary art—and the University of Le Havre-Normandy, presents a unique event celebrating graduates of the DNSEP and Master’s in Creative Writing, from April 2 to 4, 2026. Performances, a symposium, workshops, and exhibitions are on the program for these literary journeys, where voices from Le Havre and beyond will come together. Whether offering an overview of the literary landscape or a return to our home port, this event will be an opportunity—if not for a dip in the sea—to dive into words!

The programming and organization of this event are led collectively by the graduates.

With Alice Baude, Justine Benoit, Olivia Bonnafoux, Thomas Bontemps, Mathilde Brussow, Camille Campet, Eliam Cerf, Jean Christophe Cros, Emma Doude Van Troostwijk, Valérie Fortune, Solène Garnier, Emma Genty, Nausica Gloris, Floriane Gitenay, Shane Haddad, Anna Haillot, Marie HL, Zoé Jean-Toussaint, Tiffany Le Dévoré, Louis Lejault, Brice Liaud, Juliette Manel, Ella Merejkowsky, Oskar Reynaud, Estelle Rocchitelli, Isabelle Rodriguez, Manon Secq, Thomas Sila, Lola Thiery, Alexiane Trapp, and with the participation of PiedNU. This list is not exhaustive and is subject to last-minute additions.

Schedule

Thursday, April 2

2:00 PM / Doors open to the public; self-guided tour of the exhibitions and installations
The exhibitions will feature visual and textual works centered on literary creation that explore the spectrum of this discipline. They are produced by graduates of the DNSEP and Master’s in Literary Creation programs.

2:00 PM–5:00 PM / Roundtable: Gestures and Knowledge in Literary Creation
A session prepared and moderated by Oskar Reynaud and Isabelle Rodriguez, with the support of faculty members from the Humanities and Social Sciences Department, University of Le Havre Normandy,
Sonia Anton, Carine Roucan, and Sarah Al-Matary. This roundtable will invite a group of former students in Literary Creation to explore the concept of “research-creation.” The focus will be on observing how these practices have evolved after completing the DNSEP/Master’s degree, within the context of artistic work and/or doctoral research. Several universities will be represented, from France to Quebec.

5:30–6:30 PM / Radio Program: Places and Connections
Produced by Olivia Bonnafoux, with PiedNu. Hosted by Eliam Cerf, Emma Genty, and Marie HL, with the participation of Thomas Bontemps, Oskar Reynaud, Estelle Rocchitelli, Olivia Bonnafoux, Isabelle Rodriguez, Manon Secq, Floriane Gitenay, Eliam Cerf, Emma Genty, and Marie HL. Broadcast on Ouest Track Radio – http://ouest-track.com
No matter the place, it flows through us. It acts and moves through us. Its inhabitants, its sounds, its lights, its landscapes, its History, its stories. As if each place were meant to resonate with the baggage we carry within us. Creating bridges, anchors, subversions. A movement of connections. An hour of readings, sounds, and discussions: to whom we speak, for whom we speak, and from where we speak… echoes of what moves through us as we create. The broadcast will be on the radio and headed your way.

6:45–8:00 PM / Opening

Friday, April 3

2:00 PM / Open to the public, self-guided tour of the exhibitions and installations

2:00 PM / “Port Imaginaries” workshop, with Eliam Cerf [limited to 10 participants]
The workshop will focus on writing in the realm of the imaginary (science fiction, fantasy, horror) within a shared fictional universe. The chosen universe will be a port city where strange things happen. Each participant will be asked to write a scene that incorporates elements of a genre of the imaginary. All texts will be compiled into a zine/anthology at the end, which will be sent to participants in digital format.

3:00 PM / Workshop: “Introduction to the Paralloid,” with Brice Liaud [limited to 10 participants]
This writing workshop invites participants to discover the work of poet André Martel (1893–1976) and his “paralloid” writing method. Through this dynamic approach to language and its spelling, participants will work on writing poems on the theme of Le Havre and the sea.

5:30 PM–8:00 PM / Literary and artistic performances

Saturday, April 4

2:00 PM / Open to the public, self-guided tour of the exhibitions and installations

2:00 PM / Workshop “Geogenealogy: Writing Places and Writing Connections,” with Marie HL
The workshop will explore places as a new way to weave one’s genealogy. Participants will write based on the places we carry within ourselves.

3:00 PM / Workshop: “Intimate Architectures: How Do Cities Write Us?”, with Estelle Rocchitelli
The workshop will involve writing about urban wanderings based on memories of cities we’ve explored and loved, moving from point A to point B, and connecting the places we’ve traversed through a recurring motif…

4:00–6:00 PM / Literary and artistic performances

Starting at 7:00 PM / Meet at the Le Panache bistro/bar!
Open mic: “We Are Not Pebbles,” with Pauline Fontaine and Xavier Fontaine
& Closing party