Fête de l’Humanité Kicks Off in France

The long-awaited French political and cultural festival, the Fête de l’Humanité, begins today in the Paris Region with its traditional lineup of conferences, meetings, debates, and concerts—an event that typically draws hundreds of thousands of people.

A Milestone 90th Edition

In its 90th edition, the festival—hosted for the fourth consecutive year at the former Plessis-Paté air base in the Essonne department—aims to surpass last year’s attendance of 450,000 visitors. Over three days, the program will feature discussions on pressing global issues such as peace and climate change, alongside performances by popular artists.

The Fête de l’Humanité is recognized as a progressive forum for debate, where organizers propose tackling both national and international issues, including social justice, the struggle against colonialism, and the demand for respect of peoples’ right to self-determination.

The agenda also highlights condemnation of Israeli aggression against Palestine, the U.S. blockade of Cuba, and calls for the release of political prisoners around the world.

Official Opening

On the eve of the festival, l’Humanité newspaper director Fabien Gay officially inaugurated the event, joined by French Communist Party national secretary Fabien Roussel, Palestinian ambassador Hala Abou Hassira, and other notable figures.

Gay described the festival as “a thorn in the side of the powers that be” and urged participants to “build together a better future for humanity.”

First Day Themes

This Friday, the first day of the political and cultural gathering, will feature discussions on racism, militarization, the economy, and digitalization.

On international issues, debates will address the tightening of the U.S. blockade against Cuba since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, efforts to end the colonization of Palestine, and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.