The 27th Averroès meetings question “adrift cities” in the Mediterranean

Building collapses in Marseille in 2018, an explosion in Beirut this summer, symbols of "adrift cities"? The 27th Averroès meetings, organized in mid-November in Marseille, will examine the urban upheavals in the Mediterranean, in the face of climate change, globalization and conflicts.

Entitled "Cities adrift", the 2020 edition, which will be held from November 19 to 22, is inspired by a book by the Greek writer Stratis Tsirkas.

"Is Marseille a city adrift? It is a question that we can ask ourselves", considered Thierry Fabre, designer of these meetings which want to replace the human sciences in the public debate, during an introductory press conference on Tuesday.

In saying this, he thinks of the events in rue d'Aubagne in Marseille, where several buildings collapsed on November 5, 2018, killing 8 people, he explained.

The explosion that occurred on August 4, 2020 in the port of Beirut also fueled his reflection.

"We were able to see what a city adrift really was. Shocks crossed this city, which crumbled, privatized by militias and real estate speculation. A city, basically, which lost the meaning of public space ", Thierry Fabre added.

Particular attention will therefore be paid to these "two great Mediterranean port cities" during these meetings.

How are they adapting to climate change and globalization? What about cities marked by conflict? Are we witnessing "urbicides"? How to build for tomorrow?

Researchers, architects and artists will address these questions through four round tables, keystones of the event since its creation in 1994. Two evening concerts and a series of workshops for young audiences will also be held.

Despite the health context, the number of visits will be almost equivalent to previous years, the organizers said, thanks to a second room made available and where the round tables will be broadcast, bringing the capacity to around 650 visitors.

Uncertainties remain, however, as to the arrival of a researcher, Irad Malkin, professor of ancient Greek history, based at Tel Aviv University due to the health crisis.

For the other speakers, the organizers favored researchers living in France.

Until then free by reservation, the round tables will cost visitors a symbolic euro this year, to facilitate flow management.