Across a 46,000km coast surrounded by 22 countries, LGBTIQA+ people simultaneously enjoy civil rights, face criminal action, can legally have their gender recognised, are socially and/or legally oppressed because of their gender, go through genital mutilation at birth, live under harsh systems be it socio-economic issues, nationalism and colonialism; and this only touches the surface of the multitude of experiences and challenges. 

Using Maltese and Tunisian contexts as parallel bases for this exhibition, artists and activists from 11 Mediterranean countries reflect on the past, present and future, as well as their community and their own identities with running themes of resistance through activism, gender expression, sexual liberation and self-exploration throughout the exhibitions.

The exhibition is co-curated by Bobb Attard & Mohamed Ali Agrebi.

Artists:

Andrea Quaglia
Angelos Panoskaltsis
Antonella Bugeja
Ayoub Moumen
Bassem Ben Brahim
Bobb Attard
Chakib Zidi
Elias Wakeem
Fatima AM
Gabriel Chetcuti (KLONN)
Imad Zoukanni
Kraïem
Leman Sevda Darıcıoğlu
Matteo Pullicino
Mark Edward Mifsud
Mawjoudin We Exist
Mohammed Ali Aguerbi
Nik Keter
Noah Fabri
Omar Mismar
Paola Revenioti
Ramon Azzopardi Fiott (RAFiott)
Raúl Hidalgo
Ritty Tacsum
Robin Isabelle Cassar Fiott
Romeo Roxman Gatt

Satellite Events:

Wednesday 23rd August

6 pm – 6:45 pm (Curatorial tour)
7 pm – 7:45 pm (Art Additives)

Space A & C

Registration: Click Here

Friday 8th September

6:30 pm – 7 pm (Performance by Chakib Zidi and Bobb Attard)
7 pm – 7:45 pm (Ayoub Moumen) – This performance is for audiences of 18+ year old
8 pm – 8:30 pm (Performance by Noah Fabri)

Space C

Registration: Click Here

Chakib Zidi + Bobb Attard
Silence in Motion
“Silence in Motion” is a dance installation performance by Chakib Zidi juxtaposed with a spoken word piece by Bobb Attard, delving into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and individuals living under oppressive systems in Malta, the Mediterranean, and people in different countries who seek help from local activists.

Exploring themes of identity, displacement, and human rights, the choreography places a profound emphasis on emotive storytelling through movement. Unfolding through graceful movements, poignant choreography, and immersive storytelling, the performative piece sheds light on the resilience and challenges faced by these marginalized communities. Every step, gesture, and formation is meticulously crafted to convey the emotional journey of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and those oppressed in the Mediterranean.

The choreographic elements seamlessly blend fluidity and tension, symbolizing the struggles and resilience of the individuals’ experiences, with intricate sequences, dynamic formations, and expressive body language, communicating the nuances of the narratives.

Noah Fabri
Insalata

Insalata is performance where Noah prepares a salad while discussing the link between gender and food.

Inspired by women’s storytelling and the embodied knowledge of cooking, passed down from one generation to another, Noah presents a story through the wisdom of nanna’s cooking, queer food futures, and resistance.

Ayoub Moumen
Lay Against
This performance is strictly for audiences 18+

In Tunisia, Article 230 of the penal code provides for up to three years in prison for homosexuals; this dates back to 1913, during the French colonial era. As a result, the police resort to arrests targeting homosexuals based on physical appearance or denunciation.

It is clear that for the police, certain physical characteristics are enough to define a person as homosexual. But the persecution does not stop there; In order to verify if a man is indeed homosexual, the authorities order the practice of an anal test by a forensic doctor. This involves examining a man’s anus to look for possible lesions, dilations, or relaxation, which would be considered post-anal coitus characteristics.

Tunisia is not the only country that practices these methods of torture on minorities; In Syria, a hard-boiled egg is used to penetrate the condemned person and prove their sexual practice.

Ayoub Moumen subjects their body to the same practice in this subversive protest piece, as an action is a form of denunciation of these criminal acts and falls within the performative practice of abject and obscene art as resistance and critique of our societies.

Tuesday 12th September

6 pm – 7 pm (Panel Disussion: Criminalisation & Activism Through Art: Mawjoudin, Shayma & Mohamed)

Space C

Registration: Click Here

During this panel discussion, Tunisian LGBTIQ+ activists and artists will be exploring the use of art as a form of activism, and how displaced artists and activists can contribute to the movement. Additionally, they will be shedding light on the current landscape in neighbouring Tunisia, exploring their inspiring journeys, challenges, and the ongoing fight for fundamental LGBTQ+ rights in Tunisia. Moderated by Mohamed Ali Aguerbi, the panel will consist of Mawjoudin activist Karam Aouini, drag performer Shayma Al Queer, and performance artist Mohammed Issaoui.

Wednesday 4th October

6 pm – 6:45 pm (Curatorial tour)
7 pm – 7:45 pm (Panel discussion: Unveiling Palestinian LGBTIQA+ Realities)

Unveiling Palestinian LGBTIQA+ Realities

Following recent controversies around Netta’s presence in EuroPride, we aim to go deep into the narratives and challenges experienced by the LGBTQ+ community in Palestine, highlighting the importance of the demonstrations during the EuroPride opening.

Through insights, stories, and perspectives, the conversation will shed light on pinkwashing alongside the complex intersections of identity, culture, and activism within the Palestinian context.

The panelists of the discussion are Elias Wakeem & Julia Alegre Mouslim. Moderated by Mohamed Ali Agrebi.

Space C

Registration: Click Here

Wednesday 11th October

6 pm – 7 pm (Curatorial Tour in Maltese)
7 pm – 7:20 pm (Performance by Noah Fabri)

Noah Fabri
Insalata

Insalata is performance where Noah prepares a salad while discussing the link between gender and food.

Inspired by women’s storytelling and the embodied knowledge of cooking, passed down from one generation to another, Noah presents a story through the wisdom of nanna’s cooking, queer food futures, and resistance.

Space C

Registration: Click Here

Thursday 19th October

6 pm – 6:45 pm (Curatorial tour)
7 pm – 7:30 pm (Performance by Chakib Zidi and Bobb Attard)

Space A & C

Registration: Click Here

Chakib Zidi + Bobb Attard Silence in Motion “Silence in Motion” is a dance installation performance by Chakib Zidi juxtaposed with a spoken word piece by Bobb Attard, delving into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and individuals living under oppressive systems in Malta, the Mediterranean, and people in different countries who seek help from local activists.

Exploring themes of identity, displacement, and human rights, the choreography places a profound emphasis on emotive storytelling through movement. Unfolding through graceful movements, poignant choreography, and immersive storytelling, the performative piece sheds light on the resilience and challenges faced by these marginalized communities. Every step, gesture, and formation is meticulously crafted to convey the emotional journey of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and those oppressed in the Mediterranean.

The choreographic elements seamlessly blend fluidity and tension, symbolizing the struggles and resilience of the individuals’ experiences, with intricate sequences, dynamic formations, and expressive body language, communicating the nuances of the narratives.

The exhibition forms part of the EuroPride 2023 programme.