The Making of "togetherness" in cultures of the Francophone World
The talk examines the social, political, ideological, and increasingly cultural, literary, and artistic concept of ‘togetherness’. It employs a hermeneutic approach that fosters the ‘complex thinking’ of democratic reflection (Morin, 2005), while also adhering to the rigor and high standards of interpretation expected in the humanities, particularly within academic institutions (Citton, 2010). This method of analyzing socio-political realities and symbolic productions, including literature, rejects simplistic thinking and ideological mixing, advocating instead for the exchange of arguments and civic debate. The goal is to offer a reflection on the construction of a concept—or a buzzword—that reflects a particular configuration of the West, yet also provides insights into the evolution of societies, cultural intersections, and cosmopolitan dynamics unfolding in various parts of the world. Lastly, ‘togetherness’ is also subject to transpositions, variations, and aporias, which will be identified and explored.