Les Inoubliables

Les Inoubliables is a non-profit cultural association, recognized under the French Law of 1 July 1901. It is dedicated to the recognition, dissemination and promotion of the works of women composers, from the past to the present – often historically forgotten and/or underrepresented (only 6.4% of representation in French programming for the 2022-23 season, per the latest studies).

Our mission is, therefore, to 1) correct the historical neglect of women composers across all eras, 2) strengthen their presence in cultural programming in France and, where possible, abroad, and 3) harness the unifying power of music to create spaces for eclectic encounters with artistic disciplines of all kinds, in which the representation of women is also limited (including, cinema, literature, dance and theatre).

To that end, our key activities vie for the preservation and creation of women’s musical heritage, as well as educational initiatives aimed at the French youths. The sum of this yearly work culminates each year with the organization of the association’s flagship event “Festival des Femmes (pas) Oubliées” open to the general public. In this context, Les Inoubliables develops a demanding, multi-disciplinary and inclusive artistic programs and projects, based on collaborations with cultural institutions, emerging and established artists, and public and private partners committed to issues of representativeness and equal opportunity.

Over time, our work aims to deliver a long-term impact in 1) changing the societal perceptions of the role of women in music, 2) expanding the professional horizons for women of all ages in the music industry (across all roles), and 3) bring together an interdisciplinary network of actors committed to women’s empowerment and equal opportunities, across the fields of music, arts, media, research and other economic sectors.