Whether you describe it as a marathon or intellectual speed dating, the Night of Philosophy and Ideas is sure to get your brain working in ways it hasn’t before. The Nuit de la Philosophie et des Idées, as it’s called in French, returns to the Brooklyn Public Library on Saturday, February 2.

Organized with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, the event will bring together several dozen philosophers and intellectuals from around the world who will share their ideas in short conferences scheduled from 7pm on February 2, to 7am on February 3. The full program will be announced on January 11 and it will all be based around one theme, and include readings, performances and concerts and coffee. (It takes a lot of that, and some good conversation, to get through the night.)