The seventh edition of Jaou Tunis, titled "The Voices of Resistance," takes place from October 9 to November 9, 2024, in Tunis. The event features nine exhibitions scattered across symbolic locations in the city, using art as a tool of resistance against cultural erasure and oppression. Among the artists, Gabrielle Goliath and Taous Dahmani explore the themes of patriarchal violence and popular uprisings in the SWANA region.
This year, the festival resonates more internationally, especially following the participation of Euro-MP Rima Hassan. She presents an immersive and interactive installation that explores the resilience of struggling peoples, in connection with the Palestinian question. Her work, mixing video projections, sounds, and organic materials, offers a space where visitors can interact and immerse themselves in a unique sensory experience. Titled "Fragments of a Refuge," her exhibition is organized into three parts: first, raw documentation around the Palestinian cause; then, an interpretation of images taken by Rima Hassan of Palestinian refugees by an artificial intelligence; and finally, an interactive dimension, engaging the spectator in a dialogue between human and digitally generated narratives.
Also worth seeing is the exhibition by Salah Zedine. The Tunisian artist presents a series of paintings focused on resistance throughout the Arab world, highlighting popular struggles against oppression. His works, rich in symbols and vivid colors, capture the essence of social movements and revolutions, offering a visual interpretation of the resilience and hope of the peoples.
Mariam Ben Hafsia, dancer and choreographer, performs a contemporary piece inspired by protests and popular gatherings. Her choreographic work will focus on the movements of collective and individual bodies, translating through dance the strength and solidarity of social struggles. A dynamic and engaging experience, offering a reflection on the power of bodily expression in resistance contexts.
Omar El Fares, a multimedia artist from Lebanon, showcases an audiovisual installation titled "Fragments," which explores the fragmentation of identity within conflict-ridden societies. Using audio recordings, visual projections, and found objects, his work seeks to deconstruct and reconstruct the collective history of struggling peoples. This installation will be an immersive exploration, encouraging visitors to reflect on questions of loss, memory, and rebirth.
Finally, Al Jaou offers an exhibition dedicated to new media, presenting digital art works, documentary podcasts, and interactive digital installations. Artists and journalists from various countries will explore how technologies and digital platforms are used in resistance contexts, particularly in Palestine. This section will highlight the importance of these tools in amplifying the voices of the oppressed and in creating international solidarity networks.