L’institut français de Suède présente la nouvelle édition de la Nuit des idées, qui se tiendra le 3 juin 2025 autour du thème « Pouvoir agir » à Kulturhuset.
Pour cette édition, l’Institut français de Suède organise une soirée de débats autour de la liberté d’expression. Thématique toujours d’actualité, la liberté d’expression soulève de nombreux débats en France, dans les pays nordiques, et dans le monde en général. Des intervenants français, suédois et nordiques échangeront lors de débats qui se diviseront en 2 panels. Découvrez ci-dessous le programme (en anglais).
NUIT DES IDÉES : Freedom of speech under pressure? A Nordic-French roundtable
Quand ? Le 3 juin 2025 de 18h à 20h30
Où ? Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg, Stockholm
Billetterie : Réservez vos places ici (125 sek).
Langue : Anglais
PROGRAM
Freedom of speech under pressure? A Nordic-French roundtable
What happens when the ideals of freedom of speech meet the boundaries of reality? In a time when words carry weight and societies are challenged by new conflicts, all journalists, intellectuals and citizens face pressing questions about how free expression and freedom of press should be protected, and where the limits truly lie.
Which principles are at stake when tolerance, responsibility, and democracy are put to the test? Welcome to an evening at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in collaboration with the Institut français de Suède, focusing on freedom of speech, freedom of press in France and the Nordic Countries, where the possibilities and challenges of freedom of speech take center stage.
PANEL 1: The playing field of free expression – What do we mean by freedom of speech?
What does freedom of speech really mean today, and why does it look so different in France and the Nordics? In tonight’s opening discussion, we go straight to the heart of the matter: Where is the line drawn for free expression, and who decides what can be said-and why? With historical turning points and today’s laws as a backdrop, the panel examines how democracy, traditions, and the social climate shape the scope of freedom of speech-from the ideals of past revolutions to today’s debates on hate, tolerance, and responsibility. How are the boundaries of free expression formed and challenged in different cultures and legal systems? Join us for a discussion on principles, paradoxes, and practical consequences.
PANELISTS:
- Raphaëlle Théry (FR) : Associate Professor of Private Law at Université Panthéon-Assas, specializing in freedom of speech and the legal handling of sexual violence allegations, especially in connection with the #MeToo movement, as well as the significance of freedom of speech for the quality of democratic processes.
- Jakob von Holtermann (DK) : Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on legal theory and the ethics of freedom of speech, with particular emphasis on blasphemy and its legal consequences in democratic societies.
- More participants to be announced.
PANEL 2: Reporting freely in a changing world – The conditions of journalism
What are the conditions for journalism and press freedom in a time of rapid change? In this panel, we meet voices from France and the Nordics who share their experiences of navigating between laws, societal pressures, and digital challenges. The discussion draws on current examples and explores how journalists can continue to work freely and responsibly-and what obstacles stand in their way.
PANELISTS:
- Niels Ivar Larsen (DK): danish journalist and board member of PEN Denmark. Larsen is a strong advocate for writers’ rights and freedom of speech and an opponent of blasphemy laws.
- Moderator: Linn Mårdstam, Press Officer at the French Embassy in Sweden
- More participants to be announced.
Cette Nuit des idées est organisée conjointement avec l’Institut français de Finlande, dont l’événement se tiendra dans la continuité thématique et temporelle de celui de Stockholm. Plus largement, cet événement s’inscrit dans un projet régional plus global avec les Instituts français de Finlande, de Norvège et du Danemark. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus.