From September 15 to December 11, 2022, the Institut des Cultures d’Islam presents Urban Text: This Space Called Balkans.

By using urban space, cities, as its prism, the exhibition Urban Text, otherwise literally urban fabric, highlights the Balkans as a multicultural territory with shifting definitions. A selection of artists living in the region foregrounds the myriad political and social transformations ensconced in the architecture and monuments through the passage of time, bearing witness to the cycles of construction and destruction. From the relics of the Ottoman Empire to the scars left by the wars of the twentieth century, the city becomes a palimpsest of the dynamics of individual or collective writing and rewriting of History and fantasies. Artists focus on memories and current events to create intimate, critical or dreamlike works.

The exhibition is paired with a multidisciplinary programme combining performing arts, round table discussions and films. The sound of jazz mingles with folk songs, offering a glimpse of the cultural vibrancy of the region. Lectures and films address the geopolitical evolution of South-East Europe. Lastly, younger audiences are offered a tailored experience including shows, movie with snack-time and artistic practice workshops.