Students from the Faculty of Sciences at the Montpellier Photography Festival

What is this festival?
The Boutographies Festival has been taking over the city for over 20 years and has become “a must-see event in Montpellier’s artistic and cultural season,” as Michaël Delafosse—mayor of Montpellier—noted in the festival program’s editorial. Originally established in the Boutonnet neighborhood—the contraction of whose name gave the event its title—the festival provides an annual opportunity to showcase new European photography. In fact, all European photographers and those residing in Europe are eligible to submit their work; a call for submissions is issued each year. Following an initial screening by the association and a selection by an independent jury, the official lineup is determined.
Each year, Les Boutographies helps promote the art of photography across various venues, challenging our assumptions. This vibrant event is made possible through a fruitful collaboration among 43 partners, including the Montpellier Metropolitan Area and the Hérault Department, which, along with nine sponsors, provide financial support.

A Collaboration with Scribes
Last year, Christian Maccotta—artistic director of Boutographies—had already turned to this unique student association in Montpellier: S.C.R.I.B.E.S—Salon de Création Récréative et d’Initiation Bienveillante à l’Écriture par les Scientifiques (Salon for Creative Recreation and Gentle Introduction to Writing by Scientists). It was a fruitful first collaboration, as the participating students—the Scribes—had the opportunity to work with the photographic art of Camilla de Maffei, the author selected for the Carte Blanche of the 2023 edition. Coordinated by Sonia Chalbi—a professor at the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier—the students were able to exhibit their texts alongside Camilla de Maffei’s photographs. This year, they focused on the series *Je crois aux Nuits* by Pierre Liebaert—the 2024 *Carte Blanche* author. This body of work, which had already been recognized and awarded at the *Boutographies* in 2012 and 2016, inspired eleven poems this year, each distinct from the others in both style and form.