L’Art de la Joie is a citizens’, artistic and activist piece on the struggle for women’s rights. The project is presented by L’Hôtel Pasteur and La Brave Compagnie (whose show Le Bal des Ardentes will also be presented at the upcoming Les Tombées de la Nuit festival near the La Criée contemporary art centre) and created in Rennes for International Women’s Day on 8 March – and women here is understood to mean all people who identify as such. Take part in the collective creation of a flamboyant, joyful and resilient procession, where costumes, masks, banners and music become tools of political expression. The project was launched in 2024 and built around a shared, open and free sewing workshop, combining textile creations, readings, singing, technical training and shared meals. In 2026, the focus is on inclusivity and socio-cultural partnerships in the neighbourhoods of Rennes. True to the spirit of carnival – from charivaris to post-colonial carnivals – L’Art de la Joie asserts the power of celebration as a way of rejecting domination: using masks to better unmask.

On Sunday 8 March, come to Hôtel Pasteur for the highlight of the project. Before the group leaves for the demonstration, enjoy a photo shoot of the creations, a costume shop, a make-up workshop, and a shared meal. Gathering together, forming a collective body, taking the time to prepare together, as is the tradition during carnival, becomes a political act in itself. This space for socialising and collaborative creation contributes to the emergence of an emancipatory moment, where joy strengthens the struggles. Here, working together is the key to an inclusive, collective and deeply vibrant feminism.