Reminiscence of coming times

A variety of reasons have repeatedly driven protesters in North Africa and the Middle East onto the streets since 2009. Demands for an end to clientelism and corruption - as in Lebanon in 2018, and for justice - as since the port explosion in Beirut in 2020; issues of social justice and political participation - as in Egypt in 2011 or more recently in light of the international climate negotiations. A recurring motif uniting them all is the demand for a dignified life. But what if life and dignity were mutually exclusive? How does one handle the unreliability of memory after major ruptures such as the Rabaa massacre of protesters in Cairo in 2013 or the catastrophe in the port of Beirut? How can one look to a different political future, while traditionally powerful forces ruthlessly assert themselves against the will of the citizens? What is truly important in life?

In their texts, Abraham Zeitoun (Artist, Lebanon) and Alia Mossallam (Cultural Historian, Egypt) explore the uneasy in-depth. They confront defeat, loss, the curse of exile and the burden of having survived with the power of songs, prayers and curses.

A reading of the essays “Reminiscence of Coming Times - Souvenirs from Beirut” and “A Permanent Temporariness” from the anthology “Reminiscence of coming times” followed by a conversation.

With:

• Luise Amtsberg (Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance, Berlin)
• Yanina Ceròn (Actor, Berlin)
• Dr. Alia Mossallam (Author and Cultural Historian, Berlin)
• Dr. Antonie Nord (Head of the International Department of Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, Berlin)
• Rebekka Rexhausen (Projekt Manager, Alsharq Reisen, Berlin)
• Mehmet Yilmaz (Actor, Berlin)
• Abraham Zeitoun (Author und Artist, Paris/Beirut)

Languages: English/German simultaneous interpretation

A cooperation of Heinrich-Böll-Foundation with Sandra Hetzl, Maxim-Gorki-Theater and Khan Aljanub

Information:
Anna Schwarz, Senior Programme Officer North Africa, Heinrich-Böll-Foundation
E-mail: anna.schwarz@boell.de

Registration: please register here

Location: Maxim-Gorki-Theater, Studio R, Am Festungsgraben 2, 10117 Berlin