The UNESCO Week of Sound, launched in 2004, is a week of events organized around five cross-cutting sound-related themes: hearing health, acoustics and the sound environment, recording and reproduction techniques, the relationship between image and sound, and musical expression and education. 

Image

For this 23rd edition of the Week of Sound, which runs from January 19 to February 1, 2026, the theme will be "Sound and Innovations." For the second year in a row, the reConnect Institute is actively involved as a partner in the initiative.

The program for the week includes the following events:

•    January 19 – Opening Evening 

An opening event in the prestigious main hall in UNESCO House was held with patrons Pascal Lamy and Barbara Pravi, including a unique piano performance by André Manoukian. 

•    January 20 – Hearing Health, Innovations and Inclusion Day, in partnership with the Clinique de l'Oreille and the reConnect Institute

This event was also held in the UNESCO main hall in the presence of Yann Nguyen, Clinical Director of the reConnect Institute. There were contributions from several members of the reConnect Institute: Charlotte Hautefort, Elisabeth Mamelle, Luc Arnal, Keith Doelling, Arnaud Attyé, Alain Londero, Arnaud Coez, Paul Avan and Christine Petit. 

Link to the program

Other events are still to come – feel free to come along and open your ears: 

 "All in harmony! Orchestra weekend," with patron André Manoukian 

• From January 17 to February 8​
   

Throughout France, concerts and open rehearsals will be held from January 17 to February 8 to introduce people to the joys of playing an instrument. 

Link to the national program

On Sunday January 25, from 7pm at Théâtre Traversière in Paris, a special evening will be held with the contribution of scientists from the reConnect Institute, including Séverine Samson and Boris Gourévitch. The event will include talks on music, followed by a concert performed by La Renaissance wind band.

The event is free but prior registration is required here.

Link to the evening program

Through its involvement in the Week of Sound, the reConnect Institute is pledging its support for an initiative which echoes its own work in promoting and raising awareness of issues related to hearing and social connections. In the run-up to the week, several experts from the reConnect Institute spoke at two press conferences, boosting the institute's visibility in the media: 
 

• January 8 – press conference to launch the Week of Sound at the Universal Music premises, attended by Paul Avan, Grégory Gérenton and Boris Gourévitch. 
   
• January 14 – press conference on hearing health at the Clinique de l'Oreille, attended by Anne-Dominique Lodeho-Devauchelle and Alain Londero.