The inaugural Flashback – Memory Festival, a mix of art and culture, takes place at the Alliance Française Dublin over three days this May.

Flashback is an association of young Parisian students whose mission is to give artists and scientists the chance to speak on the subject of the need for a collective memory, and providing a means for them to get involved in the debate.

In partnership with the Alliance Française Dublin, the association has created a bicultural, multidisciplinary artistic festival: the Flashback – Memory Festival.

The Festival consists of four main parts:

Mémoires Instantanées Exhibition
Wednesday, 11th May (6 – 7.30pm)

This photographic exhibition features the works of two young photographers, Sarah Flynn (DIT), and Claire Bréteille (Université Paris 8), and will be exhibited at the Alliance Française Dublin for the entirety of the month of May. Exhibition launch in the presence of the artists. Admission is free, but please RSVP. The exhibition will move on to the Université Paris 8 and Espace Jemmapes cultural centre in Paris’s 10e arrondissement this autumn.

Conference – 1916, 2016, so what?
Wednesday, 11th May (7.30 – 9pm)

The title sparks a lot of different questions: What is a collective memory? – What is it made up of? – Why do societies have a need for them? – Do the younger generations want to commemorate the past? – France, Ireland, same difference? With the help of specialists from countless disciplines, the conference will afford attendees the opportunity to question and understand the need and place of the collective memory in today’s societies. Admission is free, but you need to RSVP.

Theatre – “Le Quai” – A Story Of Cinema
Thursday, 12th May (8pm)

Le Quai, the first part of a trilogy on the theme of memory, tells of three philosophy students on the tracks of a mysterious story written in 1865, that was at the heart of the creation of cinema. It is the first production of Parisian theatre company, C.T.C., which was created in 2014 by Sarah Horoks and Camille Claris. Once again, admission is free, but please RSVP.

Dance – Create Our Collective Memory Together
Friday, 13th May (1pm)

“Bal Moderne / Dancing Around” is a unique participatory experience which opens contemporary dance to people of all ages. It features original choreography specially created for the festival by French dancer Matthieu Bajolet, accompanied by young Irish dancers. Admission is free and the event takes place at Physics Square in TCD.

With a mix of art and cultures, Flashback – Memory Festival hopes to rekindle and strengthen Franco-Irish ties through dialogue and vibrant intercultural exchanges, aimed at leaving a longstanding, viable imprint on life.