The art of complexity: Edgar Morin, Don Quixote and us

Pop Philosophy Week is back in Marseille, from October 11 to 18, 2025. This 17ᵉ season, Éloge de la complexité – face au simplisme et au populisme is an invitation to think against the reductive currents of simplism and the easy seductions of populism. Exceptionally, it will be under the patronage of Edgar Morin, an essential guide on the paths of complexity and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Complex Thinking.

Confirming the strong link between a museum of civilization and a festival of pop philosophy (both of which are committed to reflecting on the tangible and intangible objects of popular culture), the Mucem is organizing an evening of encounters, including an introduction to complex thought in action by Ousama Bouiss, teacher-researcher at CY Cergy Paris Université. Abdel Aouacheria, film director and biologist, will present his micro-documentary on complexity as seen by Edgar Morin.

In resonance with the exhibition “Don Quichotte. Histoire de fou, histoire d’en rire” presented at the Mucem from October 15, 2025 to March 30, 2026, historian of ideas Françoise Gaillard will then examine the work and character of Cervantes through the prism of complexity. What is the incompressible complexity of Quixote?

Finally, Jean Birnbaum, literary critic, director of Le Monde des Livres and essayist, will talk about the courage of nuance at a time when the “brutalization” of public debate is omnipresent.

La Semaine de la Pop Philosophie (Pop Philosophy Week) will be held at several venues in Marseille, from October 11 to 18, 2025.