Theatre and maths with Compagnie Terraquée | Tangente

Compagnie Terraquée, based in Saint-Denis, is now firmly established and has extended its reach beyond Seine-Saint-Denis; its annual "Maths en ville" festival has become an event that many regular attendees now eagerly await.

Terraquée: Maths en ville brings together many people from the wider cultural world, beyond science outreach. Events are held in bookshops, cinemas, libraries… Bringing people together is essential to us. This year's guests include several people well known to Tangente readers, such as Carole Trébor, winner of the 2021 Tangente des lycéens prize [for her novel Combien de pas jusqu’à la lune ?, Albin Michel, 2019], Avner Bar-Hen and Quentin Lazzarotto, winners of the 2022 Tangente prize [for Dingue de maths, EPA Éditions, 2021], as well as storyteller Marie Lhuissier and the clown company L’Île Logique (see Tangente 204, 2022). Books and shows are good ways to bring mathematics into places frequented by people who would not naturally be drawn to it. We are also particularly proud that this year's festival programme includes the national premiere of the film Le Théorème de Marguerite (Anna Novion, 2023). It will take place on 12 October, with Ariane Mézard, the film's mathematical adviser, in attendance.

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Challenging preconceptions ----------------------------

Meriem: We are well established in Saint-Denis, and I enjoy talking to people and sparking conversations. People often ask me what I do for a living. When I say that I run a company combining theatre and mathematics, the reactions are often strong: some struggle to believe such a thing exists, while others tell me how much they hate maths… or theatre… or both! Despite these seemingly negative reactions, the conversation often continues for quite a while. In 2017, I thought we could try showing local residents what we do and convince them that watching a play and doing mathematics are activities they can enjoy with their families, their neighbours or even complete strangers! Furthermore, the jobs I held before founding the company with François gave me a thorough knowledge of Saint-Denis's network of community organisations, shopkeepers and educators. We devised an initial programme, and when we presented it to all these people, most of them were immediately very enthusiastic.

Meriem: Even before the festival took place, as we walked the streets and visited cafés handing out leaflets, people would reach out for a leaflet: "Is that the maths thing? I want one!" Very soon afterwards, people began asking us what would be happening the following year.

François: The festival very quickly attracted a diverse audience from across Île-de-France. We always pay close attention to the balance of the programme: there must be something for everyone. We also work in advance with the contributors to ensure that the content is suitable both for people who enjoy mathematics and know something about it, and for those who dread it. "Maths en ville" is a popular celebration; admission is free throughout, and everything takes place in accessible public venues.

Terraquée: On Saturday 30 September, we will open the festival with an afternoon called "Les maths sont dans la place" (Place du 8-Mai-1945). This is an important, family-oriented occasion. Rugs and armchairs are set out so that everyone feels comfortable. Some activities have become regular fixtures and are eagerly anticipated, such as the Science ouverte association's giant polyhedron constructions and Emmanuel Rollinde's human orrery. There will also be traditional games (chess, Oware…) and specifically mathematical ones (particularly with 2AMAJ Val-de-France ‒ Association pour l’approche des mathématiques par l’art et le jeu ‒), cryptography (with ARCSI ‒ Association des réservistes du chiffre et de la sécurité de l’information ‒), and the city's toy libraries will also be involved. More unusually, perhaps, the city's archaeology unit and the Suivez la Flèche association are offering three activities connected with the basilica… Among other things, you will be able to try your hand at medieval geometry and stone carving! And for the first time, Tangente will be among the exhibitors (and is also an event partner).

Exploring Saint-Denis's heritage -----------------------------------

Tuesday 10 October will mark the inaugural edition of "Les maths sont dans la fac!" It will be a full day, open to everyone, at Paris-VIII University in Saint-Denis. We are delighted to be organising an event devoted to mathematics at this university, whose main focus is on the social sciences and the arts, and thus to be helping forge closer ties between the city and the university. Working with the mathematics and computer science department, we have devised a full programme featuring games in the lobby (including our new game, "Qui veut gagner des élections?"), screenings of mathematical films, talks and shows.

The full programme is available on our website (**www.mathsenville.com**).

Meriem: "Maths en ville" grew out of our daily work and our desire to share it; in turn, the encounters and conversations at the festival enrich the company's work throughout the year. Terraquée and "Maths en ville" are gradually becoming fixtures on the local scene. We are now part of Saint-Denis's heritage, which makes us quite proud, and we are delighted to welcome people from far and wide!

François: It is a key moment: it opens up possibilities and helps us pursue them. For example, our partnership with the L’Écran cinema for the festival prompted its director to keep track of mathematics-related developments, with a view to organising events throughout the year. Another example is our work with the archaeology unit: during the festival's first edition, a tour of an archaeological site was jointly led by a mediator from the archaeology association and a carpenter from Compagnie Terraquée… From there, our partnership developed, and we joined forces to create a play about mathematics and archaeology with young people from Saint-Denis. This "archaeo-theatre" production explores measurement in connection with the famous medieval Lendit fair.

Meriem: You need something engaging, designed—and even co-designed—with local residents. To achieve that, we draw on our everyday work. The choice of venues is also very important. For example, to bring our shows to people who would not necessarily go to the theatre, we hold evening events for parents and children in schools throughout the year. During the festival, beyond the opening day, "Les maths sont dans la place", we rely heavily on libraries. For example, when Marie Lhuissier performs La Faiseuse de neige at the Flora-Tristan library in the neighbouring municipality of Pierrefitte-sur-Seine on Wednesday 11 October, the audience will include local residents drawn by storytelling, people who have come especially (perhaps because they read about it in Tangente) and others who happen to be there by chance. It is also important for these different audiences to meet.

The "Maths en ville" festival, in the shadow of the Saint-Denis basilica.