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Les Epicuriens
Books
Essay on the Origin of Languages By Jean Jacques Rousseau
Among Rousseau’s more unusual legacies is his inquiry into how human language first arose, a question he explored in the posthumously published Essay on the Origin of Languages. In this dense yet fascinating essay, Rousseau delves into the primitive beginnings of speech and song, proposing that language evolved from early humans’ emotional cries and communal needs rather than from rational calculation. Do you agree with Rousseau’s theory that language has emotional rather tha
Passé confessé by Marie-Eve Meuwly
There is something particularly unsettling about crime novels set in places that appear untouched by time. In Passé confessé, Swiss novelist Marie-Eve Meuwly returns to familiar territory, using the quiet landscape of an isolated Swiss village not merely as a backdrop, but as an active participant in the story. Behind its postcard tranquillity lies a community built on silence, memory and carefully buried truths. Meuwly has long established herself as one of Switzerland's mos
Mukudori By Aki Shimazaki
With Mukudori, acclaimed Japanese-Canadian author Aki Shimazaki once again demonstrates her remarkable ability to transform ordinary lives into quietly profound stories. Elegant, understated, and deeply moving, this novel explores the resilience of love, friendship, and dignity in the face of life's inevitable changes. One especially moving scene captures Matsuko quietly pouring tea for her ailing husband on a rainy morning, the unspoken tenderness between them highlighting t
Sports
Vivre de Sport by Bixente Lizarazu
Some sporting memoirs dwell on medals, trophies and moments of glory. Bixente Lizarazu’s Vivre de Sport takes a different route. Rather than revisiting every milestone of his celebrated football career, the former France international offers a thoughtful meditation on movement, curiosity and the lifelong pursuit of physical and mental well-being. For readers outside the French-speaking world, the book is currently available only in French. While there is no official English t
The Time-Crunched Cyclist: Race-Winning Fitness in 6 Hours a Week, by Chris Carmichael and Jim Rutberg / Third Edition
Today, The Sensei Sports BookClub is pleased to feature The Time-Crunched Cyclist by renowned cycling coach Chris Carmichael and co-author Jim Rutberg. Whether you’re an experienced rider chasing personal bests or someone simply trying to stay active despite a demanding schedule, this book offers a practical and refreshing approach to cycling fitness. One of the book’s greatest strengths is that it understands the reality of modern life. Most cyclists don’t have the luxury of
Movement and Mental Health
Today at les Épicuriens, we ask you to reflect on the link between movement and mental health. Think about how physical activity can support your psychological well-being. Ahead of delving into the topic, let's look at a bit of history and the role sport played in ancient Greece. For them, sport was a key part of education, religion, and daily life, forming a strong connection to their endeavour for excellence, not just for the body but also for the mind. (Goodman, 2020) Th
Sports intensity, I suffer therefore I am
At Basket, we believe in the transformative power of sports. Physical activity supports both physical and mental health, builds resilience, and helps prevent illness. However, excessive participation can be harmful and may lead to addiction. This documentary profiles individuals who push their limits and examines the challenges that can accompany extraordinary achievements. https://www.rts.ch/emissions/temps-present/emission/whatson:7631906128812.html
History
The Capetians: Kings of France, 987–1328 by Jim Bradbury
Book Review: The Capetians: Kings of France, 987–1328 by Jim Bradbury Few royal dynasties have shaped the destiny of a nation as profoundly as the Capetians. Rising from the uncertain political landscape left by the collapse of the Carolingian dynasty, they transformed a fragmented kingdom into the foundations of what would become the French state. This month, Les Épicuriens History Book Club turns its attention to Jim Bradbury’s The Capetians: Kings of France, 987–1328, a co
Suisse. Histoire et la légende des origines by Guy Mettan
Suisse. Histoire et la légende des origines The story of Switzerland's origins is fascinating because it is both dual and multifaceted. On the one hand, it tells of a humble, painstaking, almost anonymous process of nation-building, shaped by often fragile alliances forged in a challenging environment over more than a century, from the late thirteenth to the late fourteenth century. On the other hand, it gave rise to stories that would become enduring national myths: William
Rasputin: And the Downfall of the Romanovs (Les Epicuriens History)
Rasputin: visionary, fraud or victim of history? THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'THE GOLD STANDARD OF NARRATIVE HISTORY' DAN SNOW 'ONE OF THE GREAT STORIES OF HISTORY, TOLD BY ONE OF OUR GREATEST HISTORIANS' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE 'THIS EXTRAORDINARY STORY HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER TOLD' ANTHONY HOROWITZ 'A STUNNING BANQUET OF A BOOK' ROSE TREMAIN At the Les Epicuriens Books Preview release, a widely acclaimed book is being introduced. This event also marks the beginning of
Music
Montreux Jazz Festival 2026 Raye & Guests / Opening evening
At Les Épicuriens Cultures, summer means one thing: festival season. Among the highlights is the Montreux Jazz Festival, one of the world's most prestigious music events. Over the decades, it has welcomed an extraordinary roster of legendary artists, including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Prince, Nina Simone, Sir Elton John, and, more recently, Sam Smith. This year, the festival celebrates its 60th anniversary with an exceptional lineup featuring Raye, Eddy de P
KMO, the New Musical Chapter of Pablo Alborán
Pablo Alborán, Spanish singer, songwriter, and actor, returns with KMO, his new studio album. Throughout his career, the artist has won over audiences with hits such as Solamente Tú and Saturno, while also collaborating with performers from different countries. KMO, an acronym for Kilómetro Zero (“Kilometre Zero”), marks a new chapter in the Málaga-born artist’s career. The album opens with Clickbait, a powerful song that reflects on media exposure and the influence of social
Avenoir – Calum Scott / Les Epicuriens Culture
Avenoir – Calum Scott Avenoir is Calum Scott’s third studio album, and it marks a notable departure from his previous work. While Bridges was an album we greatly enjoyed, Avenoir presents a more mature and introspective side of the artist. The album’s title sets the tone perfectly. Avenoir is a coined poetic term meaning “the desire that memory could flow backwards” — a longing to experience life in reverse, allowing memories to approach from the future rather than recede int
Culture
House of the Dragon Season 3: A Slow Burn That Still Breathes Fire
The wait is over. House of the Dragon has returned for its third season on HBO Max, bringing audiences back into the blood-soaked struggle for the Iron Throne. With Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen now firmly claiming her place on the throne after overcoming betrayal and prejudice, the battle for Westeros enters an even more perilous chapter. Yet power in George R.R. Martin's world is never secure. As House Hightower manoeuvres to reclaim influence and Daemon Targaryen's unpredictabl
Review: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
At Les Epicuriens Culture, we approached Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu with considerable anticipation. As admirers of the Disney+ series, we were eager to see whether Din Djarin and his young companion could make the transition from streaming to the big screen. The result is an entertaining adventure that captures the spirit of the series while delivering the spectacle expected of a theatrical Star Wars release. The film continues the story established in The Mandalori
Silo – Season 3 Review
Rebecca Ferguson returns as Juliette Nichols in the third season of Silo, one of Apple TV+'s finest original series and, without question, one of the most compelling science-fiction dramas currently on television. Adapted from Hugh Howey's bestselling novels, the series continues to captivate with its masterful blend of mystery, suspense and thought-provoking storytelling. The premise remains as intriguing as ever. Thousands of people live in a vast underground silo, believin
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