INTERVIEW: Thomas Jolly, godfather of the Ramp Crazy: Its always disturbing to see that culture is not mentioned in politics

A prestigious godfather was present at the opening of the 30th edition of Fous de la Rampe, a student theater festival at the University of Caen (Calvados), on Monday, March 23, 2026: the famous director Thomas Jolly. We met him in the hall that now bears his name.

25 years ago, a young performing arts student named Thomas Jolly stepped onto the stage of the students’ house at the University of Caen. Day and night, he rehearsed for the student festival Les Fous de la Rampe. This iconic place now bears his name. Thomas Jolly, now a renowned director and artistic director of the Paris Olympics, is the sponsor of the 30th edition of the festival, taking place from March 23 to April 2, 2026. We were able to talk to him firsthand.

France 3 Normandie: Imagine that you were in this room 25 years ago. What memory or lesson has stuck with you and still guides you today?

Thomas Jolly: “My memories are very clear, the students’ house was a place where we could rehearse all night to prepare our show for Les Fous de la Rampe. And I remember that it was an incredible opportunity! Because what young artists like us needed was time and space. Having this working tool at our disposal and being able to complete a project in front of an audience are unforgettable memories, but above all, foundational ones. Because thanks to this freedom, thanks to these opportunities, it made me want to pursue directing, to truly make it my profession, and that’s what I’ve been doing since then.”

“Absolutely, we had the keys and the trust of the university to take care of this tool and this space, we were so good that we didn’t want to damage it at all.

It was the freedom to experiment, to seek, to make mistakes, to argue…

Thomas Jolly

Director and sponsor of Fous de la Rampe 2026

Engaging in a creative, young, bold, and free gesture, absolutely. And once again, achieving, completing a gesture, it’s not so simple actually to create a show. It was the opportunity to follow through with our desire and above all to offer it to the public.”

This is the 30th edition of Fous de la Rampe, the festival you sponsor this year. What advice would you give to these young people embarking on a crazy adventure, knowing that the world of culture is not always thriving?

“To do theater, we need one person to perform, to speak, and one person to watch. So, all we need are two people to do theater, and that’s it. What I often tell young people is that they need to act.

Don’t wait for permission, don’t wait for someone to give you the right. Just do it.

Thomas Jolly

Director and sponsor of Fous de la Rampe 2026

A show can be performed anywhere, anytime. It can be rehearsed in three hours—I’ve done it—or over several weeks, it can take on any form. In fact, it’s an art that is so simple that when you’re young, you shouldn’t limit yourself to authorizations and permissions.”

Even though it’s true that it’s concerning to see that culture, in general, is rarely mentioned in the speeches of political figures of any persuasion. In a world that is increasingly anxious and chaotic, culture, as we know, brings some order to chaos. It puts words to complex or distressing concepts.

And even on our 30th edition of Fous de la Rampe, the projects are very focused on contemporary issues, on the youth who question, who ask questions, who try to find answers. Once again, bringing some order to chaos.

It’s always a bit surprising, in the mouths of politicians, not to hear the word ‘culture’ and to see support that unfortunately is decreasing in several regions.

Thomas Jolly

Director and sponsor of Fous de la Rampe 2026

So, we know it’s a legacy from the post-war period. And if General De Gaulle founded a Ministry of Culture, it’s certainly because it has virtues allowing for better living together and escaping the atrocities he had experienced at that time.”

And then, does it open doors to the world for us?

“Absolutely.”

The student festival offers a rich program until April 2, 2026, available on their website.

With Pauline Latrouitte and Maëllenn Nicolas.