Join us for a magical evening of words, painting and music with Karthika Naïr, Joelle Joliet and Alex Freiman, to celebrate the beautiful English edition of Electric Birds of Pothakudi. Suitable for both the young (6 years and up) and the young-at-heart.

Free & open to all. Places limited. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. Most events take place on our first floor, which is accessible by stairs. If you have any concerns about access, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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Karuppu Raja dearly loves his village of Pothakudi. He takes great pride in being responsible for switching on the circuit breaker every night to power the streetlamps, only source of light for most of the villagers. But one evening, he discovers a bird’s nest buried deep inside the box. He’s faced with a terrible dilemma: should he turn the switch on, destroying the nest, or leave the village in darkness…?

In the summer of 2020, even as the pandemic raged over the world, a small report circulated across Indian newspapers: Pothakudi, a village in Tamil Nadu, went without street lighting for 35 nights, because a pair of vannathikuruvi, Oriental Magpie Robins, had built a nest, and laid eggs, inside the sole circuit breaker that powered all its street lamps. Electric Birds of Pothakudi springboards from this very real event to create a magical tale of interspecies solidarity and community.

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Karthika Naïr is a poet, playwright, fabulist and dance scenarist. Les Oiseaux électriques de Pothakudi (Éditions Hélium/Actes-Sud, 2022) – her latest children’s book illustrated by Joëlle Jolivet – won the 2023 Prix Felipé for “ecological children’s literature”, and was shortlisted for the 2023 Jugendliteraturpreis or the Prix Franco-Allemand de la littérature de jeunesse.

Joëlle Jolivet is an outstanding Illustrator who works mostly in linocut. She knows how to style without losing sight of the original object, and is passionate about detail. Her books have been published internationally. She lives and works in Ivry-sur-Seine, France.

Alex Freiman is a guitarist, composer, and singer trained at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Drawing from jazz, blues, soul, and funk, he masterfully blends these influences with energy and virtuosity, creating music that is both groovy and sophisticated. After collaborating with major figures on the French and international scenes, including Stéphane Belmondo, he released his debut album as a leader, Play It Gentle, in 2017. Recorded with Léon Parker (drums), Fred Nardin (organ), and special guest Stéphane Belmondo, this album reflects his passion for improvisation and sonic elegance. Constantly seeking innovation, he launched Alex Freiman & The Hot Sauce, an explosive project where jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hop intertwine. His EP In The Beginning (September 2024) marks the start of a new musical era, followed by the singles We Are One (January 2025), featuring rapper Tiemoko, and This Is The Hot Sauce (March 2025), affirming his vibrant and innovative musical identity. In 2025, Alex Freiman continues his groove exploration with a new album and fresh collaborations. Alex Freiman & The Hot Sauce will also be performing in Paris and across France, delivering electrifying shows where improvisation and energy collide.