France Culture launches radio fiction series

France Culture will present six literary radio fiction events from October 31 to November 29, 2026, covering absurdist comedy, literary adaptations, writers' correspondence, and contemporary theater. The station aims to highlight professionals in sound creation, including interpreters, sound designers, technicians, and production teams. Stéphane Spada, director of fiction and creation at France Culture, stated that these events will showcase the skills involved in their creation.

First event features absurdist comedy

The series will begin on October 31 at 21:00 with Arrête de respirer, s'il te plaît, an absurdist comedy by Nicole Genovese directed by Mélanie Péclat. Set in Paris in 1871, the play features a Bonapartist terrorist booby-trapping a horse-drawn omnibus, threatening to detonate it if its speed drops below 30 kilometers per hour.

Fukushima adaptation explores disaster impact

From November 2 to 6, at 20:00, Fukushima, récit d'un désastre by Michaël Ferrier will be adapted by Sophie-Aude Picon. Based on the author's experiences during the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the five 30-minute episodes will explore the human and political consequences of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Correspondence series highlights literary relationships

From November 9 to 13, at 20:00, Volodia Serre will present François Truffaut and Helen Scott, Correspondance 1960-1965, tracing the relationship between the filmmaker and his American friend, especially around Jules et Jim, La Peau douce, and interviews with Alfred Hitchcock. Their exchanges were published as Mon petit Truffe, ma grande Scottie by Denoël in 2023.

Woolf and Sackville-West letters explored

From November 16 to 20, at 20:00, Juliette Heymann will explore the letters exchanged between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West from 1923 to 1941. Their correspondence, both romantic and literary, will be featured in five episodes, shedding light on their relationship and artistic concerns. Their letters were compiled in French as Correspondance 1923-1941 by Stock in 2010.

Contemporary drama closes the series

From November 23 to 27, at 20:00, La Diablesse dans son miroir by Horacio Castellanos Moya will be adapted by Cédric Aussir. Set in San Salvador in the early 1990s, the narrative follows Laura as she investigates the murder of her friend Olga María Trabanino, uncovering the secrets of a corrupt and violent Salvadoran bourgeoisie. The adaptation will be presented in five 30-minute episodes around a single voice and nine monologues.

Two plays by Penda Diouf conclude the cycle

On November 29 at 20:00, two texts by playwright Penda Diouf will close the cycle: J’ai accouché de mon frère et c’est mon seul enfant and Sœurs, nos forêts ont aussi des épines. Each hour-long production will explore childhood memories, family bonds, and the relationships between sisters.

Access to all productions available online

All productions will be available on air, on the France Culture website, and in the Radio France application.