Avignon may be France’s oldest arts festival, but it has a resolutely contemporary approach to the dramatic arts, with experimental performances that draw on dance, theatre and poetic traditions. We sit down with multidisciplinary artist Kubra Khademi, whose performance “From Armour to Jackets” kicks off the festival, to hear about the military detritus that became a poignant symbol of the American retreat from her native Afghanistan. Kubra talks about being forced to flee Kabul after a controversial artistic performance in 2015 and discusses how the Taliban have now left Afghans “trapped in their own country”.

Just 10 days ahead of a runoff that will determine who will lead the European Union's second-largest economy for the next five years, opinion polls show incumbent President Emmanuel Macron is slightly ahead of his far-right rival Marine Le Pen. FRANCE 24's reporters Julia Kim and Florence Villeminot attended their latest rallies. Plus, our Campaign Commentator Angela Diffley delves into the latest referendum frenzy among the candidates.