Salon Culture
In her free time, Kate hosts salons in Oxford and Paris where literature, philosophy, the arts, the sciences and more are discussed in a welcoming space open to all ages, genders and backgrounds. The aim of the salon is to encourage empathy, critical thinking and engagement with different perspectives among a diverse audience, as well as bridging the gap between academia and the wider public.
The first salon appeared in Italy in the sixteenth century before flourishing in France throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The salon hostess, or salonnière, would open her home, welcoming others to engage in discussion about varied topics. Although the salon may have had elitist connotations in the past, today all members of society are encouraged to participate.
Attending a salon is a great way to learn about a topic that is entirely new to you or deepen your knowledge of an already familiar field. The best talks cater to both beginners and experts of a given subject. Past talks include:
Corinne ou Italie ou Staël: the creation of the myth of the female artist
An introduction to French decadence: Huysmans, Rachilde and la belle bête intelligente
The Puzzles and Controversies in the Ethics of War and Peace
Temporality and memory in film via the work of Jonas Mekas
Language across species and controversies in animal language
Following the talk, questions and a lively discussion ensue. Exchanging ideas in a convivial setting unites otherwise disparate sections of society and improves one’s ability to empathise and think flexibly. Offerings of wine and cheese are encouraged and the evening ends with a musical performance or a poetry reading. Attending a salon will introduce you to new friends, enliven your mind and enrich your soul. Curiosity, creativity, logic, emotion and sensitivity are all fostered in the diverse space of the salon.
To find out more about salon culture and attend a salon, follow @litteracoeursalon on Instagram or send Kate an email at catherine.sligo@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk
