Writing residency at the Chateau of Voltaire

Inspired by the literary heritage of Ferney-Voltaire, both in terms of ideas and the place of theater in the production of the writer and philosopher Voltaire, the Chateau of Voltaire, the city of Ferney-Voltaire, the Chartreuse de Villeneuve lez Avignon and the Villa Gillet have joined forces to offer a residence for contemporary writing based on the pleading format.

Building on the success of the second edition in 2025, a third theatre writing residency is planned for 2026. The author will propose a dramaturgical text to defend a universal cause related to the battles of the Enlightenment that finds resonance today in the form of a plea.

The two writing phases will be held in turn at Villeneuve lez Avignon and then at the Château de Voltaire. Thus, the author benefits from the support and consulting services provided by the Chartreuse de Villeneuve lez Avignon and its large library of theater texts. At the Château de Voltaire, the author will have access to an office within the monument’s archives.

At the end of this residency, the organizers undertake, in collaboration with the Compagnie des planches brûlées, to organize one or more theatrical readings that could take place in different partner literary venues under the artistic direction of Valentine Sergo.

The writing residency will be for 3 weeks in each of the monuments, making a total residency of up to 6 weeks.

The residency, in several places, would concern only one or only one beneficiary who will thus be able to follow a complete course organized as follows:

• Residence at the "Chartreuse de Villeneuve lez Avignon" between February and March 2027 for a period of three weeks.
• Residence at the Chateau of Voltaire and in the town of Ferney-Voltaire in March or April 2027 for a period of three weeks. 
• Delivery of the text by August 15, 2027 ideally.
• Reading and restitution of the work by the company "Planches brûlées" in autumn 2027.

Interested candidates should provide:
1) Applicant’s letter of motivation;
2) Photocopy of an identity document for the candidate (photo ID);
3) Updated curriculum vitae and bibliography of the candidate;
4) Intent note describing the writing project and the animation themes; 
5) Artistic file including visuals, texts, and possibly press reviews;
 

The application must be sent to:
residencedecriture@ferney-voltaire.fr

The registration deadline is set for 8 September inclusive.

Please note, only the first 40 files, and provided they are complete, will be taken into account.