ATD Quart Monde

With J’existe, ATD Quart Monde launched an artistic initiative of exceptional human and social significance. By bringing together people living in poverty and professional artists, the project aimed to make the invisible visible. Together, the participants explored, staged, and embodied the theme of poverty as a violation of human rights. At the heart of this approach lies a deep conviction: cultural rights are a key lever to help the most marginalized have their other rights recognized.

The project was built patiently, over a year of preparation, meetings, and research. It was carried out with rigor, respect, and commitment, in partnership with Maskénada, a cultural collective known for its collaborative creations.

A stage to bring what is silenced into the light

The final performance – a true collective achievement – brought together life stories, gestures, striking images, and unfiltered expression. It allowed people who are often pushed to the margins to step into the spotlight, to say “j’existe” not by shouting, but by creating.

A round table held as part of the project addressed institutional mistreatment – a rarely explored topic in the arts, yet essential for understanding mechanisms of exclusion. The discussion matched the topic’s weight: intense, honest, and deeply necessary.

Human and logistical challenges… overcome together

As is often the case with such projects, obstacles abounded. Daily life – marked by stress, fatigue, and sometimes illness – made organization difficult. But kindness, the commitment of the artistic teams, and the determination of the participants made progress possible.

“One participant injured her shoulder. Still, she was so motivated that she insisted on seeing it through. That’s just one example of the strength this project revealed.”

The unwavering support of the Œuvre Nationale and key partners helped provide high-quality support, without ever compromising the project’s human dimension.

Public recognition… and something more intimate

The standing ovation at the first performance didn’t just honor an artistic achievement –  it recognized lives, voices, and presences too often silenced.

A photo book has already been published, a film is in the making, and a full documentation of the process is underway. These traces will allow the project to continue acting as a tool for awareness and social change.

An ambition that goes beyond the stage

For ATD Quart Monde, J’existe is much more than an artistic project – it is a declaration of existence, a stand against invisibility. Through this experience, the association reaffirmed what it has always defended: culture is not a luxury – it is a fundamental right.

What’s next?

The feedback is clear: J’existe must inspire further initiatives. ATD now hopes to make this project a model for equal partnerships between artists and people affected by poverty.

“What we hope in the long run is that society will come to recognize the transformative potential of shared cultural projects. That we’ll stop seeing some people as ‘beneficiaries’ and start recognizing them as full-fledged agents of change.”

The journey continues. Driven by the fight against injustice and the daily courage of activists, ATD Quart Monde carries its mission forward with a simple but powerful motto: “Giving a voice to those who have none.”

And with a fundamental reminder that resonates far beyond the stage: “Wherever men are condemned to live in misery, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure those rights are respected is our solemn duty.” – Joseph Wresinski, 17 October 1987