Festival Black Helvetia presents its 3rd edition, “De la riposte à la réplique (From Riposte to Retort)”, at Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne. It runs from Wednesday 25 to Sunday 29 November 2026.
The story
The MélanineSuisse association runs the festival. It was founded at the request of the canton of Neuchâtel, marking 30 years of its intercultural integration policy. Lawyer Brigitte Lembwadio, now its president, brought together Black and Afro-descendant women around the project.
The association has fifteen Afro-descendant women aged 20 to 50, born in Switzerland or having spent much of their lives there. It aims to change how Black and Afro-descendant women are perceived. A previous edition took place in 2023.
Who organises it
MélanineSuisse organises the festival, hosted by Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne. The event brings together artists, researchers and activists. It highlights the voices of Black and Afro-descendant women and is open to all.
What to find
Over five days, the festival offers performances, concerts, workshops, debates, an exhibition and DJ nights. It is built around four themes, anger, health, collective strength and civic awareness. Its common thread is turning anger into collective strength.
Mamu Tshi’s show “Love Under” plays on Wednesday 25 November at 7.30 pm, Friday 27 at 7 pm and Saturday 28 at 3 pm. On Thursday 26 November at 7.30 pm, Mamari Munezero and Lÿdie LaPëstE present “Le rire comme riposte (Laughter as a Comeback)”.
On Friday 27 November at 8.30 pm, Marie Dasylva leads the participatory talk “Survivre au taf (Surviving Work)”. On Saturday 28 November at 7 pm, a round table brings together Laura Flessel, Maboula Soumahoro and Jasmine Imboden, moderated by Amani Bathily.
Workshops range from poetry with Kiyémis to anger with Seilen and Jennifer Padjemi. On Sunday 29 November, a krump initiation and a parent-child hair-care masterclass complete the programme.
The foyer hosts the exhibition “Sur le terrain — Pionnières (On the Field — Pioneers)”, curated by Claudia Ndebele. It pays tribute to Surya Bonaly, Laura Flessel and Patricia Brulhart Oguey. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm.
Practical information
- Dates, Wednesday 25 to Sunday 29 November 2026
- Times, between 9 am and midnight depending on the day (see the programme)
- Venue, Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne, Avenue Émile-Henri-Jaques-Dalcroze 5, 1007 Lausanne
- Price, free entry to most activities, often with registration; “Love Under” 10.–
- Tickets, Théâtre de Vidy box office and registration on the festival website
- Accessibility, Salle 96 René Gonzalez is not wheelchair accessible
Links
- Official site, Black Helvetia, programme
- Tickets, Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne box office
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- Lausanne Tourisme, Festival Black Helvetia, De la riposte à la réplique, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Black Helvetia, home page, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Black Helvetia, 2026 programme, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Black Helvetia, the association, accessed on 14 November 2026
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