Jean Vilar

Jean Vilar was a French actor and theatre director who made popular theatre a central artistic and civic mission. He founded the Festival d’Avignon in 1947 and, from 1951 to 1963, led the Théâtre National Populaire, where he broadened access to major theatrical works. His work helped establish Avignon as a major international theatre centre and remains closely associated with the idea of theatre as a public service.