We are living in the “best of all possible worlds” and everything that happens is “all for the best”. This was the basis of Leibniz’s optimistic philosophy. Voltaire, on the other hand, found these notions patently absurd and decided to show this absurdity through his satirical masterpiece Candide.

Follow Candide and his friends through their series of misadventures where they experienced a variety of tragedies and reversal of fortunes. Ultimately, all is not for the best, but throughout his journey Candide discovers the meaning of life.

VOLTAIRE, born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. He was a prolific author, known for his sharp wit and advocacy for civil liberties, particularly freedom of speech and religion.