Invited artists and speakers

Martha Argerich, an exceptional artist, sought after by the most prestigious conductors and orchestras, a flamboyant and rebellious performer, is a living legend.
"A piano legend from her youth, an indomitable personality and artist with a natural technique, Martha Argerich perfectly illustrates Baudelaire's phrase according to which genius is "childhood renewed at will". Olivier Bellamy

One of the most talented contemporary pianists of his generation. Nicholas Angelich is fascinated by the music of Mozart, Beethoven and contemporary music. He has received many prizes and recognitions. At the Victoires de la Musique Classique, he received the Victory of "Instrumental Soloist of the Year." in 2013 and in 2019.

Described by Isaac Stern as one of the most remarkable Israeli violinists, Sergey Ostrovsky, born in Russia into a family of musicians, has developed an international career as first violin with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and the Aviv Quartet. He is also a violin and chamber music teacher at the Haute Ecole de Musique, HEM of Geneva and Neuchâtel. He plays a 1716 Giovanni Grancino violin.

Sandra Albukrek, an artist with multiple talents, born in Istanbul, brings the same dexterity and poetry to drawing, painting, sculpture, writing, the visual performing arts as well as singing and the art of storytelling … Sandra is an indomitable creator for whom the imagination has no limits. She is the founder of the Atelier des Lutins and the Festival des Lutins. Filled with an irresistible vitality, she has the art of creating unforgettable artistic events and meetings.

Julia Dašić, a Parisian painter of Serbo-Greek background, studied at the Institute of Fine Arts and Textile Design in Belgrade and then at the Institute of Decorative Arts in Paris. She has worked with the painter Nissan Engel as his assistant and with the fashion designer Irina Volkonskii. Alongside this, she works as a scientific illustrator. Julia Dašić works on her own creations and animated films with a dreamlike universe which transports the spectators at the exhibitions that she takes part in.

A major author of literature for young people, with about one hundred books published … "Everyone says it, listening to Susie Morgenstern speak is a real pleasure because her way of speaking is so warm and her joie de vivre so communicative. Susie has managed to keep this spirit of childhood which, in many cases, can cure all ills. An American born in New Jersey, Susie Morgenstern now lives in Nice. Her books have won a great many prizes, particularly "Secret Letters from 0 to 10", which won some twenty prizes. As she enjoys saying herself, she is continuing her career as a globetrotting spokesperson for youth literature." L'école des loisirs

Dan Sloutskovski was born in Moscow into a family of musicians. At the age of 10, he began touring as a soloist throughout Russia. In 1998, he became the junior "best cellist of the year" in Russia. He completed his studies with a 1st prize with virtuosity and distinction and joined the Geneva Chamber Orchestra. Today, he is a cello soloist with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, Dan Sloutskovski is also an excellent teacher.

Lyda Chen-Argerich, the eldest daughter of Martha Argerich, studied violin at the Geneva Conservatory with Ayla Erduran and at the Beijing Central Conservatory (China) with Lin Yao Ji. She is continuing her musical carrier playing the viola under the direction of teacher Gad Levertofat at the University of Tel-Aviv (Israel). Lyda's specialty is chamber music.

Valentina Schwarz, dancer, dance therapist and expressive art therapist is a shamaness. Her listening ability and her capacity to help people to discover their creative potential make her a unique guide for all people who are seeking their profound essence.

Jacques Stitelmann, PhD. in Psychology FSP, ASP Psychotherapist, Expressive Art Therapist, and also a sensitive artist, is the founder of the art therapy training institute, "L’Atelier", in Geneva. Jacques Stitelmann is an exceptional speaker and teacher who knows how to engage listeners with creativity and humor.

"Natali Fortier, a French and Canadian citizen, author and illustrator of some thirty books for young people, lives and paints in France. She received an honorable mention in Bologna and the Octogone and Goncourt Youth prizes. Natali Fortier, a creative visual artist with a generous imagination, likes to explore and experiment: paper or clay books, volume figures, furniture, sculpture, games, masks, exhibitions… Her desire to invent and to give is immense and many-sided. Her works speak of the fragility of living beings, the poetry of everyday life and simple things, the poetic strength of objects. Her sense of play and the power of her colored pallet know how to convey the feelings and the emotions of this fresh and adventurous territory that we call childhood." Lucette Savier, editor with Albin Michel

Lydia Sevette, puppeteer and actress, creates marionettes and masks which connect strangeness and poetry with unequalled technical mastery. Lydia Sevette, creator of the masks of the "Carnival of the Animals" for the opening concert of the Festival des Lutins, bringing her talent as an actress, mischievous and full of humor, has been working at the Atelier des Lutins since 2003.

Eytan Ipeker, a talented director, film editor, producer and experimental film-maker, born in Istanbul, currently living in Berlin. He is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts of New York University, and his experimental films and videos have been screened at many international festivals. As a producer, he won the France 4 Visionary Prize at the 55th Critics' Week in Cannes 2016, Best feature film at the 22nd Sarajevo Film Festival and Best first feature film at the 33rd Jerusalem Film Festival.