Climat Libé Tour in Bourges: What Can Culture Still Do in a Changing World?

On 16 and 17 June 2026, the Maison de la Culture de Bourges hosted a new stop on the Climat Libé Tour, co-organised by the newspaper Libération and Bourges 2028, European Capital of Culture, at the Maison de la Culture de Bourges, National Stage. Over two days, nearly 700 participants gathered to explore the role of culture in the face of the ecological, social and democratic challenges of our time.

Two Days of Debate

Nearly 700 participants, around twenty speakers and ten conferences and debates: on 16 and 17 June, the Maison de la Culture de Bourges became a laboratory for ideas as part of the Climat Libé Tour. Organised by Libération and Bourges 2028, with the support of the Maison de la Culture, the event brought together artists, researchers, public officials, cultural professionals and citizens around one central question: what role can culture still play in a changing world?

Two years ahead of the European Capital of Culture year, the event provided a space for collective reflection on the role of artistic creation and cultural action in the face of the crises affecting our societies.

Culture as a Driver of Change

Throughout the discussions, one idea emerged clearly: culture does not simply tell the story of the world — it also helps shape and transform it. By creating spaces for dialogue, bringing new narratives to the fore and encouraging people to meet and exchange, culture is an essential driver for navigating the changes underway.

The discussions explored a wide range of contemporary issues, from ecological transition and citizen participation to mobility and the role of artists in societal change. Rural areas were a particularly important focus. Rather than being viewed as peripheral spaces, they emerged as places for experimentation, where new ways of creating, cooperating and engaging with culture are being developed.

The speakers, from a wide range of backgrounds, shared their experiences, questions and ideas for action, exploring ways of imagining cultural models that are more sustainable, inclusive and rooted in local realities.

Artistic Moments to Extend the Conversation

Beyond the conferences and round tables, the Climat Libé Tour also gave a prominent place to artistic creation. A special concert by Flore Benguigui & The Sensible Notes, together with Judith Godrèche’s carte blanche, attracted nearly 300 spectators, offering powerful and unifying moments that echoed the themes explored throughout the debates.

A Shared Ambition for Bourges 2028

Through this stop on the Climat Libé Tour, Libération and Bourges 2028 reaffirmed a shared ambition: to make culture a space for reflection, experimentation and engagement in the face of the challenges of our time.

This ambition will continue to shape the European Capital of Culture project in the months ahead, with the conviction that the transformations to come are also built through imagination, narratives and cultural practices.

Photo credit: Cha Gonzalez for Libération / Climat Libé Tour