There are traditions that the Arab World Institute always upholds, and highlighting a bold and committed stand-up show is definitely one of them. Every year, the Institute organizes the IMA Comedy Club, and 2026 is no exception. From January 28 to February 1, 2026, the event makes its grand return for a seventh edition. It’s an opportunity to laugh until you cry, but most importantly, to discover the emerging talents of the French and Arabic-speaking comedy scene.
Borderless Comedy Shows
They go by Walid Jabbari, Aby, Adel Fugazi, Flora Amara, Malik Belkhodja, Myriam Baroukh, Sabrine Zayani, Saad, Solay, Sofia Titrit, and Youness Hanifi. They are the rising stars of the stand-up world. With sharp punchlines, keen observations of the world, and most importantly, engaged performances, they will take the stage during the four evenings of the IMA Comedy Club.
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Nidhal Saadi will also be gracing the stage on Friday, January 30, 2026, with a performance entirely in Tunisian dialect Arabic. The night before, on Thursday, January 29, the evening will also be in Arabic, featuring the collective awk.word.
A festival that...It's reinventing itself for its seventh edition
The seventh edition means new features. And this year, there are many, starting with a gala evening organized on the theme of "marriage". It will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and will be hosted by Malik Belkhodja and Sabrine Zayani.
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In 2026, the IMA Comedy Club is also stepping outside its usual walls to join Argenteuil, where Tarik Seddak and comedian Christine Berrou will host workshops for young comedians. These aspiring talents will then get the chance to enjoy their first stage experience during the opening night of the IMA Comedy Club. Plus, there’s a regular event: one Thursday a month, young humor talents will perform on stage at La Cave d’Argenteuil. So, when are you coming?
IMA Comedy Club
Institut du monde arabe
1, rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard — 5th
From January 28 to February 1, 2026
More info and reservations
Institut du monde arabe
1, rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard — 5th
From January 28 to February 1, 2026
More info and reservations
