Autumn of Voices

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: V Hope, 34 rue Joseph Lévèque, 80510 Long, France
Admission: Free and open to all

A Free Afternoon Celebrating Stories, Expression and Human Connection

V Hope is pleased to present Autumn of Voices, a free cultural event dedicated to storytelling, personal expression, shared memories, and the power of listening. Taking place at our premises in Long, this event will bring together visitors for an afternoon designed around one of the most universal forms of cultural expression: the sharing of stories.

Every person carries memories, experiences, ideas, and moments that can be transformed into stories. Some stories are passed down through families and communities, while others emerge from personal experiences, imagination, travel, friendships, work, or everyday life. Storytelling allows people to share these experiences and discover perspectives beyond their own.

Autumn of Voices will create a welcoming space where visitors can listen, speak, reflect, and take part in a collective cultural experience. The event is open to people of different ages and backgrounds. No previous experience in writing, performance, or public speaking is required.

The purpose of the afternoon is simple: to create opportunities for people to come together through words, memories, imagination, and conversation.

Event Programme

2:00 PM – Welcome and Introduction

The afternoon will begin with a welcome at the V Hope premises and an introduction to the event. Visitors will be invited to discover the purpose of the programme and learn more about the importance of storytelling as a cultural and social practice.

This opening moment will also establish the spirit of the event: participation is encouraged, but everyone is free to take part in the way that feels most comfortable. Some visitors may wish to tell a story, while others may prefer to listen and observe.

2:30 PM – Stories That Stay With Us

The first session will focus on memorable stories and experiences. Participants will be invited to think about a moment, person, place, tradition, or memory that has remained important to them.

Through guided discussion, participants can share short stories or reflections and listen to those of others. The purpose is not to create a perfect performance but to encourage authentic expression and meaningful listening.

3:30 PM – Creative Storytelling Workshop

This interactive session will explore how an idea can become a story.

Participants will be introduced to simple storytelling elements, including beginnings, characters, places, emotions, and endings. Short creative exercises will encourage participants to imagine and develop their own stories individually or in small groups.

The workshop will be suitable for complete beginners and will focus on imagination rather than technical perfection.

4:30 PM – Break and Informal Exchange

Visitors will have time to take a break, continue conversations, and meet other participants.

This informal part of the event is an important opportunity for social connection. V Hope believes that cultural activities are not limited to the formal programme. Conversations between participants can be just as valuable as the activities themselves.

5:00 PM – Open Voices

The second part of the afternoon will provide an opportunity for voluntary participants to share a short story, reading, memory, or creative text.

Contributions may be personal, fictional, humorous, reflective, or inspired by the earlier workshop. There will be no competition and no expectation of professional performance.

The aim is to create a respectful and supportive atmosphere in which different voices can be heard.

6:00 PM – Collective Conversation

The event will conclude with an open discussion about storytelling, creativity, and cultural expression.

Participants will be invited to reflect on the afternoon and discuss the role that stories can play in connecting people. The conversation may explore questions such as why certain stories remain important, how memories shape personal identity, and why listening to other perspectives can help create greater understanding.

6:45 PM – Closing Moment

The final part of the event will offer an opportunity to thank participants and reflect on the shared experience of the day.

Autumn of Voices is designed to demonstrate that culture can begin with something simple: people gathering together and sharing experiences. Through listening and expression, individual stories can become part of a wider conversation.

V Hope looks forward to welcoming visitors for this free afternoon of creativity, dialogue, and human connection.