And I Will Be With You is a poetry and performance festival presented at Palais de Tokyo and online from the 18th to the 20th of June dedicated to the international contemporary crip scene (France, Canada, United States, Switzerland, United Kingdom). The festival brings together around twenty crip, queer, D/deaf, neurodivergent and/or chronically ill artists, affirming the presence of an artistic community by opening a space for encounters with the plurality of its forms, voices, and embodiments.

Here, accessibility is not conceived as a corrective measure, but as a creative practice; the ethical, aesthetic and political ground from which the festival itself emerges. Translation is approached as a relational gesture: one that expands modes of access while foregrounding the embodied dimensions of language, expression and exchange. The programme is interpreted into French Sign Language (LSF), audiodescribed, translated into both French and English and and broadcast live online.

The festival brings together practices that reconfigure the notion of “poetic writing” through forms of circulation between voice, gesture and image, transforming modes of address, perception and attention.

The title of this event is taken from the work of Panteha Abareshi: FUTILE PERMANENCE, which opens the group exhibition Cheryl Marie Wade, the Queen-Mother of Gnarly, presented from the 3rd of April to the 13th of September at the Palais de Tokyo.

• The festival is accessible upon presentation of a dedicated ticket

EARLY ARRIVAL

A quiet and early arrival is possible one hour before the programme begins, allowing visitors to familiarise themselves with the space at a gentler pace. Orientation visits will take place during these times.

• Thursday: from 5pm
• Friday: from 5pm
• Saturday: from 2pm

CONTACT AND ACCESS SUPPORT

Our mediation and access team, identifiable by fluorescent yellow lanyards, will be present throughout the festival to guide and support visitors.

You can contact the team before and during the festival:mediation@palaisdetokyo.com  

ACCESSING THE FESTIVAL SPACES

• Palais de Tokyo is located on 16 avenue du Président Wilson
• The entrance of Palais de Tokyo is located on Level 2.
• The festival welcome desk is located on Level 2
• All festival events and programmes take place on Level 0
• A map of the festival spaces and access routes will be available onsite and online

ONSITE ACCESSIBILITY

• Integrated audio description for all readings and performances.
• Open captions for all readings and performances.
• French Sign Language (LSF) interpretation for all French-language readings and performances.
• French voice-over for English-language readings and performances, available through headsets loaned from the welcome desk.
• Assistance dogs are welcome.
• A range of seating options will be available.
• Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the Palais de Tokyo entrance on Level 2, at the Information & Membership desk.
• All floors are accessible via lifts.
• A quiet rest space is available on Level 1.
• Accessible and gender-neutral toilets are available onsite.
• Where possible, visitors are kindly asked to avoid wearing perfume or strongly scented cosmetic products.

LIVE STREAMING

• The festival will be streamed live on the Palais de Tokyo YouTube page.
• Live captions in both English and French will also be broadcast in Salle 37 at Palais de Tokyo (please note: this space is not wheelchair accessible).

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS

• Covid-19 testing: please take a self-test each day before attending the festival.
• Please attend only if you are not experiencing symptoms.
• Wearing an FFP2 mask indoors is recommended.
• Masks and hand sanitiser will be available onsite.

With the support of the Fonds de dotation Abilitis and the British council.