Effets Réels: True Stories for Civic Democracy – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Skip to content](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-12-DCoFnra7.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-08-Bbt_UM7-.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-04-D4E6Ss3k.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/en) - [ Discover ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) - [ What is CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Values ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/mission-vision-values) - [ Governance & Management ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Who's Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Open Labs & Civic engagement ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Learn ](https://civis.eu/en/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexible Learning ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/build-your-learning-path-flexible-offer) - [ Master’s Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Study abroad ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026) [CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Teach ](https://civis.eu/en/teach) - [ Calls for Projects ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovate your Teaching ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resources for Educators ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/resources-for-educators) [CIVIS BIPs: strong impact and high satisfaction, new report finds ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [CIVIS Students Bring Music to Patients with Dementia and their Caregivers ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/musicians-from-all-over-civis-come-together-in-madrid-to-promote-inclusiveness) - [ Research ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research) - [ Research Collaboration ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-collaboration) - [ Careers, Networks & Mobilities ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resources for Researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/resources-for-researchers) [CIVIS launches new job space for early-stage researchers across Europe and Africa ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/connecting-talent-with-opportunities-civis-launches-new-job-space-to-connect-early-stage-researchers-across-europe-and-africa) [Facing Common Challenges, Shaping Joint Solutions for Africa and Europe ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Connect ](https://civis.eu/en/connect) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/civis-days) - [ Civil Society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contact us ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) - [ Press Corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [CIVIS Student Ambassadors Take Centre Stage in Newsroom Pilot ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-student-ambassadors-take-the-lead-inside-the-newsroom-pilot-project) [Building an Alliance That Works: Five Lessons from the CIVIS Units ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/building-an-alliance-that-works-five-lessons-from-the-civis-units) [ Our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) en - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) Menu - [Discover](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ What is CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Values ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/mission-vision-values) - [ Governance & Management ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Who's Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Learn](https://civis.eu/en/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexible Learning ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/build-your-learning-path-flexible-offer) - [ Master’s Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Study abroad ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Teach](https://civis.eu/en/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Calls for Projects ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovate your Teaching ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resources for Educators ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Research](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Research Collaboration ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-collaboration) - [ Careers, Networks & Mobilities ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resources for Researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/resources-for-researchers) - [Connect](https://civis.eu/en/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/civis-days) - [ Civil Society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contact us ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) - [ Press Corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) en - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement/effets-reels-true-stories-for-civic-democracy) 1. [Discover CIVIS Alliance ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) 2. [Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) 3. [Open Labs & Civic engagement ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) 4. Effets Réels: True Stories for Civic Democracy Effets Réels: True Stories for Civic Democracy ================================================ Effets Réels – Festival des Histoires Vraies brought together literature, research and civic engagement through the first international festival in France dedicated to literary non-fiction, or the “literatures of the real”. Held from 10 to 12 April 2026 in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, the festival gathered writers, researchers, translators, journalists, students and citizens around testimony, narrative journalism, investigation, biography, autobiography, memory writing and historical narrative. All events were free of charge, and the programme reached approximately 900 attendances over three days. Through author dialogues, round tables, performances, writing and translation workshops and convivial public events, Effets Réels explored literature as a civic tool for addressing fake news and digital disinformation. Supported by CIVIS/Open Lab, Aix-Marseille Université and a broad network of academic and cultural partners, the project connected teaching, research, student involvement and public debate. It also laid the foundations for a biennial European festival rooted in Aix-Marseille and open to Mediterranean and European questions. Main Beneficiaries & Social Impact --------------------------------------- ### Main beneficiaries The project addressed **citizens and readers in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, university students, researchers, writers, translators, journalists, cultural partners and schools**. Participants engaged through free public events, author dialogues, round tables, performances, storytelling evenings, writing and translation workshops and student-led exchanges. The programme brought together **16 international writers and intellectuals, 11 faculty researchers and at least 10 core student organisers**, while the wider programme reached approximately **900 attendances** over the three days. Students, doctoral and postdoctoral volunteers were actively involved throughout the festival and contributed to interviews, translation, photography, video production, press activities, reception and logistics. The project was supported by a broad partnership involving the Association Effets Réels, CIVIS Open Lab, the Italian Cultural Institute in Marseille, the City of Aix-en-Provence and the Aix Biennial 2026, Institut Ramon Llull, SOFIA, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, EJCAM – Aix-Marseille School of Journalism and Communication, AMU research units CAER, CIELAM and TELEMMe, UFR ALLSH / SFR Maison de la Recherche, ATLAS and Dominique Vittoz, and Les Chants du Monde bookshop. ### Social Impact Effets Réels created a visible meeting place between the university and local communities, bringing academic knowledge, literary creation and civic debate into shared public spaces. Free access helped reduce economic barriers to participation, while the programme opened public discussion around **truth, memory, war, migration, family histories, gender, mental health and democratic responsibility**. Participatory formats based on writing, comics, translation and storytelling enabled citizens to actively produce and share material rather than participate only as spectators. CIVIS/Open Lab support gave the initiative a strong European and international dimension. It strengthened cooperation with partners in Madrid, Rome and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and contributed to durable connections among writers, researchers, translators, publishers, cultural institutions, bookshops and local audiences. The project also generated opportunities for continued collaboration, including future workshops, school outreach, translation projects and partnerships with international festivals. Core Methodology ----------------- The project combined community engagement, literary mediation and co-creation through free public events, author dialogues, student-led interviews, storytelling evenings, writing and translation workshops, supported by partnerships among universities, cultural institutions, research centres, bookshops and associations. Partners --------- **Partner Name** **Type** **Bio (2-3 lines)** **Website/Link** Association Effets Réels Non-academic stakeholder / cultural association Created in 2024, the association designed and produced the festival. It brings curatorial expertise, public mediation, and strong links with authors, translators, readers and local audiences. ; IG: @effets\_reels; FB: Effets Réels CIVIS Open Lab CIVIS support / academic alliance Main financial and strategic partner. CIVIS/Open Lab made the European and international dimension possible and strengthened cooperation with partner universities and students. Italian Cultural Institute in Marseille Non-academic stakeholder / cultural institution Venue, programme and financial partner. It supported the Italian focus of the first edition and strengthened intercultural dialogue and public outreach in Marseille. City of Aix-en-Provence / Aix Biennial 2026 Public authority / cultural event partner Local public and cultural partner. The Aix Biennial 2026 focus on Italy helped shape the festival’s Italian literary, cultural and territorial dimension. Institut Ramon Llull Non-academic stakeholder / cultural institute Public cultural institute promoting Catalan language and culture. It supported the Catalan dimension of the programme and the project’s multilingual Mediterranean scope. SOFIA Non-academic stakeholder / author-rights society Collecting society for literary authors and publishers. It contributed to the professional, author-centred and financial dimension of the project. National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Academic partner Associated academic partner for the Ukraine-focused programme. It contributed to discussions on war, testimony, media, democracy and the defence of truth. EJCAM - Aix-Marseille School of Journalism and Communication Academic partner / school Hosted student-led exchanges with Ukrainian guests and involved journalism students in interviews, media questions and the civic dimension of testimony. AMU research units: CAER, CIELAM and TELEMMe Academic research partners Contributed to scientific design, moderation and interdisciplinary framing, connecting literary studies, history, translation, media and Mediterranean research. UFR ALLSH / SFR Maison de la Recherche Academic and institutional support Provided institutional and research support within AMU, helping connect the festival with teaching, research and public engagement. ATLAS / Dominique Vittoz Non-academic stakeholder / translation association Contributed literary translation expertise through a public workshop, opening translation practice to a broad audience without requiring prior knowledge of Italian. Les Chants du Monde bookshop Non-academic stakeholder / bookshop Local book-sector partner supporting the circulation of invited authors’ books and the connection with readers, citizens and the Aix-en-Provence public. Events in the Project ---------------------- Dates Title Description 10 March 2026 **Press Conference** The festival was presented to members of the press, project partners and institutional stakeholders at the Maison de la Recherche on Aix-Marseille Université's Campus Schuman. 10 April 2026 **Understanding Ukraine** Student-led exchanges took place at EJCAM in Marseille with Constantin Sigov and Sergiy Kvit, focusing on Ukraine, media, democracy and the defence of truth. 10–12 April 2026 **Meetings and Discussions with the Festival's Invited Guests** Meetings and discussions with invited writers were organised at the Italian Cultural Institute in Marseille and Hôtel d'Olivary in Aix-en-Provence. Authors presented and discussed their work before exchanging directly with the audience. 10 April 2026 **Between Fiction and Non-fiction** The opening conference at the Italian Cultural Institute in Marseille featured Helena Janeczek and explored the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction. 10 April 2026 **Sharing True Stories** François Beaune led a participatory storytelling workshop and convivial evening that invited members of the public to share true stories. 11 April 2026 **Translator for a Day** Dominique Vittoz led a public translation workshop at Hôtel d'Olivary around the work of Francesca Melandri. The session was open to all audiences and did not require previous knowledge of Italian. 11 April 2026 **Ukraine in War: Writing, Thinking, Bearing Witness** Sergiy Kvit, Anastasia Fomitchova and Francesca Melandri took part in a conversation on literature, testimony and war at Hôtel d'Olivary. 12 April 2026 **Drawing a Story of the Self** Sara Menetti led a graphic-novel workshop in which participants transformed personal experiences into short illustrated stories. 12 April 2026 **Booking Night** The festival concluded at Hôtel d'Olivary with shared readings, short performances and a convivial apéro-dîner. Take-aways ----------- - Effets Réels established the first international festival in France dedicated entirely to the literatures of the real. - The festival reached approximately 900 attendances across three days, with event spaces consistently reaching capacity. - Free access and activities across Marseille and Aix-en-Provence supported broad public participation. - CIVIS/Open Lab strengthened the project's European and international dimension and supported cooperation across institutions and countries. - The programme successfully combined literature, academic research, translation, performance and civic debate. - The focus on Ukraine highlighted the role of testimony, journalism and literature in defending truth during times of war. - Italy's role as guest of honour, in connection with the Biennale d'Aix 2026, strengthened the festival's intercultural and Mediterranean dimension. - The first edition provided a tested model for future biennial editions and year-round civic and cultural programming. Testimonials ------------- ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-07-COrlhHVd.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-03-DvaxLIQk.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/profile-empty-644x696.jpg?token=00eb51c5b0a9c1e013b1469b78adce67) > The festival proved to be a space of outstanding creativity, capable of combining a high artistic standard with extraordinary emotional engagement. A wonderful event that left a tangible and lasting impression on me Lorenzo Bertuccelli, Student amU, intern Effets Réels OL's project Contact point -------------- ### Project direction ### Association Effets Réels / Project direction ![Association Effets Réels / Project direction](https://civis.eu/storage/files/aix-marseille-universite.png)- Federica Gianni - [Email](mailto:federica.gianni3@gmail.com) ### Association Effets Réels / Aix-Marseille Université - Project direction ![Association Effets Réels / Aix-Marseille Université - Project direction](https://civis.eu/storage/files/aix-marseille-universite.png)- Claudio Milanesi - [Email](mailto:claudio.milanesi@univ-amu.fr) ### Association Effets Réels / Project direction ![Association Effets Réels / Project direction](https://civis.eu/storage/files/aix-marseille-universite.png)- Ikram Chilah - [Email](mailto:festival@effetsreels.com) - [Website](Instagram:%20@effets_reels) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### People - [ Students ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-a-student) - [ Academics & researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Administrators ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Civil society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Press corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Useful links - [ Resources ](https://civis.eu/en/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/en/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ European Universities initiative ](https://civis.eu/en/european-universities-initiative) - [ Past Events ](https://civis.eu/en/past-events) - [ Contact ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) [Newsletters](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/en/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/en/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search