“Science Tells Stories”: Three Shows at the Émile Zola Media Library to Present Research in a Different Light

[Press Release] - Published on January 28, 2026 in the Press Room

The University of Montpellier, through its Scientific Culture Department, and the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Network of Media Libraries and Scientific Culture are presenting three storytelling performances based on the “La Science rend des contes” residency to the public on Saturdays, February 14, March 14, and March 21, 2026, at the Émile Zola Media Library (Montpellier). Developed in close collaboration with research teams atUM, these events invite audiences to discover science in a new way—through storytelling, fiction, and the imagination—while fostering collaboration between artists and scientists. This residency is part of the ministerial “Science with and for Society” (SAPS) initiative led by the University of Montpellier.

A SAPS residency to bridge science and storytelling

Since September 2025, the “La Science rend des contes” residency has brought together three storytellers in laboratories at the University of Montpellier. Working closely with scientists, the artists explore various research topics and transform them into stories accessible to everyone, blending scientific rigor with narrative power.

This creative project is being developed in collaboration with researchers fromUM, in close partnership with the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Network of Media Libraries and Scientific Culture. The project has two goals: to open up laboratories and scientific knowledge to the general public, while also revitalizing the formats of science outreach through the art of storytelling. At the end of the residency, several productions will be unveiled. In addition to storytelling performances, podcasts and illustrations will also be developed. The podcasts will be available on major online streaming platforms.

The three performances scheduled at the Émile Zola Media Library are a highlight of the residency: each performance is designed as a shared experience, in which the artists bring knowledge to life, and the scientists involved in the project then extend the encounter through a discussion with the audience. Admission is free while seats last; registration is strongly recommended on the event website.

Performance Schedule at the Émile Zola Media Center

Saturday, February 14, 2026 (4:00–5:00 p.m.): “Can We Count on the Mosquito?”

The first show takes a familiar subject—the mosquito—and turns it into a true narrative focus. Behind this insect, often seen as a nuisance, lies a complex world: species diversity, ecological roles, interactions with other forms of life, the spread of viruses… The show draws on this scientific richness while incorporating imagery from a variety of cultural traditions, notably folktales from Africa and the Nordic regions.

This show features storyteller Francine Vidal, accompanied by scientists Mathieu Sicard, a university professor at the Montpellier Institute of Evolutionary Sciences (ISEM), and Claire Loiseau, a researcher at the MIVEGEC laboratory (Infectious Diseases and Vectors: Ecology, Genetics, Evolution, and Control). Together, they present a format that blends storytelling, dialogue, and scientific insight to offer a fresh perspective on a tiny—yet indispensable—insect.

Saturday, March 14, 2026 (4:00–5:00 p.m.): “Lokili – The Worlds of Water”

The second event immerses the audience in an adventure centered on water, an essential yet fragile resource. The story “Lokili – The Worlds of Water,” brought to life by Rémi Garcia Kerviel, follows a character named Léo, who sets out in search of the Lord of the Springs to understand why the water is disappearing from his home. Along the way, the story takes us through underground worlds where water hides, flows, and gushes forth, becoming almost a character in its own right.

The performance will be followed by a discussion featuring scientists involved in the residency, who specialize in issues related to water and water management. Caroline Lejars of CIRAD, deputy director of the G-EAU laboratory (Water Management, Stakeholders, and Uses), will engage in a dialogue with the audience alongside Géraldine Abrami, a research engineer and outreach coordinator at the same laboratory.

Saturday, March 21, 2026 (4:00–6:00 p.m.): “The Cosmos of the Minus,” followed by “Lokili – The Worlds of Water”

The third event takes a longer format, featuring two consecutive performances. The afternoon begins with “Le Cosmos des Minus,” a show dedicated to the infinitely small. Through the eyes of a child who is constantly reminded of his small stature, the story shifts to another scale of life: that of cells, invisible structures, and microscopic worlds that shape reality. The show invites the audience to “think big” by changing their perspective and to explore the scientific discoveries that allow us to observe and understand this universe. This story is performed by Gwladys Batta, accompanied by Marie-Pierre Blanchard, a research engineer at the Institute of Human Genetics (IGH) and technical manager at Montpellier Ressources Imagerie (MRI), who will provide scientific insight related to the themes explored.

The event will then continue with a second performance of “Lokili – The Worlds of Water,” giving the audience the opportunity to (re)discover this story and continue the dialogue with the project’s scientists: Caroline Lejars and Géraldine Abrami (G-EAU laboratory).