To infinity and beyond. For its fourth edition, the Hypermondes festival, which takes place in Mérignac on September 21 and 22, is heading to space by exploring the theme of planets. After machines, utopian worlds and creatures, this festival dedicated to the imagination plans to take the public on an interstellar journey, through exhibitions, conferences, workshops, film screenings, concerts and meetings with authors and scientists, between the Michel Sainte-Marie media library and the Mérignac-Ciné.
“While there is a lot of talk about living on Mars or leaving Earth, with the rather crazy ambitions of Elon Musk in particular, it seemed important to us to take stock of the initial fantasies about other planets and scientific reality,” explains Natacha Vas-Dayres, president of the festival, science fiction writer and professor of modern literature.
“The festival’s aim is to build a bridge between science and fiction, between our dreams and what we know. Today, scientists tell us that statistically, it is very likely that there is life elsewhere, even if it may be very far away and in other forms. But science fiction and the imagination had already completely overtaken this dream,” she recalls.
“Need for imagination”
Beyond scientific explanations, the festival will spark the public’s imagination through various exhibitions, films and discussions with artists and authors. “Humanity has always needed imagination to progress, move forward and change society. This year, the festival will allow us to reflect on our own planet. Because if life on the closest planets, such as Mars or the moons of Jupiter, is impossible, this means that we will have no plan B and that we must preserve the only place in space where we can live,” explains Natacha Vas-Dayres.
On an individual level, “dreams, artistic visions and stories allow us to better endure life. If you no longer have dreams, it means that you no longer have hope. You are then caught up by the great emptiness of space or metaphysics, that is to say the fear of death etc.”, she reasons. Authors, artists and scientists will be present at round tables to discuss all these subjects.
Last year, 8,000 people attended the festival. This year, the organizers hope to welcome more than 10,000, thanks in particular to a geek flea market, a larger literary fair and additional resources provided by the City of Mérignac. Most of the events will be accessible to the general public and for all ages, with popularized conferences by scientists and authors, or workshops adapted to families so that “everyone comes away with both knowledge and wonder,” the president aims to do.
Full program on hypermondes.fr
