“This artistic duo creates shows that constitute an odyssey”.

Alexandre Demidoff, Le Temps

To reflect on the nature of our thought and the way in which it is generated within the context of the stage arts, is one of the main creative goals of the Swiss artistic duo of Massimo Furlan and Claire de Ribaupierre. Their plays are usually based around the collective memory of different generations and aims -not without a certain irony- to take intellectuals out of academic circles and situate them once again in the centre of public life. To make their voice heard on the artistic stage, open to an often uninformed audience, in order to promote reflection and critical thinking, apart from creating a community that doesn't fear new ideas and is able to comprehend the major problems facing us today.

Their work is an indirect and humorous response to the growing disdain displayed by populist discourse for critical thinking in favour of entertainment and it poses questions on the identity of different European countries, especially during a period when Europe is becoming gradually more fragile. Employing the old Trojan horse trick, Furlan and De Ribaupierre reintroduce thinking and philosophical reflection into the heart of entertainment through a musical spectacle that functions as an outstanding festival but also emphasises the need to recover thinking for popular culture.

This new project that lands at the 37th Autumn Festival is connected to their earlier piece 1973 presented at the Festival d'Avignon in 2010 when they recreated Eurovision 1973. Nevertheless, on this occasion, they're not evoking past shows but inventing a completely new discourse which focuses on the song lyrics. A responsibility that has been given to eight European thinkers (philosophers, historians, anthropologists, etc.) from eight different nations, who are tasked with writing the lyrics to a "philosophical song" following the traditional song structure, –verses, refrain, bridge–, but leaving aside poetry and lyricism to consider sociological, anthropological or philosophical aspects of our world today. A team of musicians and composers from Lausanne have set the lyrics to music, which will be performed on stage by different artists in different styles. Of course, a jury composed of specialists in contemporary history, philosophy, ecology, anthropology and environmental sciences, among other subjects, will be present at the contest and will guide the show through fascinating, fun and unexpected debates.

European Philosophical Song Contest begins in the spirit of Eurovision, with Massimo Furlan and a co-presenter on stage. The duo welcome the audience to an international night of music and present the members of the local jury who will judge the performances, before presenting the first participant and briefly commenting on the lyricist (for Spain, the audience can enjoy a composition by the Madrid philosopher Santiago Alba Rico). A singer will perform the first song live in its original language while the audience will be able to view a translation of the lyrics on a screen. Once the song is over, the panel of experts will comment on what they have just heard, thus creating a live debate focused on the problems of the modern world. After a few minutes of discussion, the presenters announce the next participant. All throughout the night, moments of entertainment will be punctuated by moments of reflection. When the all participants have finished performing, the audience and the jury will vote for the night's winner. And in true Eurovision fashion, the winner gets to sing their song again.

Practical information

• Teatros del Canal, Sala Verde
• 23 November, 20.00
  24 November, 18.30

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