ABSTRACT

I would like to refl ect on the modernity of gatherings in order to understand better the formation of these groups, the nature of their activities, the relationship between participating actors and spectators, and the methods of circulation. To do this, I will fi rst examine the terms of reference for these groups and then propose a means to categorize them. The chapter will examine the nature of these gatherings, their origins, and the social characteristics of their members. It will also suggest the motives for encouraging member participation in one or many cultural groups along with members’ levels of participation. Finally, we will see which activities were common or specifi c to these groups or cultural assemblies; which topics of discussion were chosen; how the subject matter was produced and how it entered into debate; and how the material supports (books, concerts, etc.) of these exchanges found their way into circulation.