Mediterranean Convergences
2008-2011
This project is being developed by the Heart of Damascus NGO
Partners who initiated the project are:
the Relevements Poetiques, the Moustafa Ali Foundation, the Institute Cervantes of Damascus,
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Damascus
Syria deserves all attentions from the world because it is the cradle of our civilizations; because it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world; because it reigns peace there. The tourists are received there like kings. And we have to learn culture exactly from this country. This is why we try to develop also the cultural exchanges between Syria and its brothers of the Mediterranean.
Brief description
What is the Heritage of Damascus?
The cultural program of the 'Heart of Damascus' NGO consists in organizing a series of meetings
based on the Mediterranean culture shared between Damascus, Istanbul, Barcelona and Montpellier.
Encounters and exchanges will take place in the coming years
between Syrian, Turkish, Spanish and French poets and painters, initially in both Damascus and Montpellier
leading to a series of Exhibitions, together with publication of all project works which will be translated into Arabic, Turkish, Spanish French and English.
The objective of this project is to create an intercultural dialogue between Mediterranean countries,and
to increase awareness of the common heritage of Damascus.
General ideas
Content: Collaboration of work between, for example, a painter from Damascus with a poet from Istanbul, Barcelona or Montpellier;
or between a poet from Damascus with a painter from the named cities, leading to the constitution of artistic couples.
Objective:
- Artistic share and exchange of painting and poetry across the Mediterranean world.
- Production of bilateral works which will be shown to the general public in Damascus and Montpellier.
- Creation of a memoir of this unique exchange, by preserving the contributions of all participants in the form of a book, film, illustrated note-books, etc.
Main steps
During the first months:
- Creating contact between participating artists and poets
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- Creation of a dedicated website to present the project and details of participants
- Preparation of events by the organizing committee
- Budget proposal
- Possible visit of Committee members from Istanbul,
Barcelona and Montpellier to Damascus to meet with their Syrian counterparts
During the first year:
- First exchanges and pooling via an Internet forum
- Residence in Montpellier: Artists and poets working together in Montpellier (2 weeks)
- Residence in Damascus: Artists and poets working together in Damascus (2 weeks)
- Work at home - all participants will keep in touch by internet and by phone(first 3 months)
- Exhibition in Damascus (3 weeks)
- Exhibition in Montpellier (3 weeks)
- Exhibition in Istanbul (3 weeks)
- Exhibition in Barcelona (3 weeks)
The participants
From Syria, Turkey, Spain, and France
Painters/artists
Honor artists invited
What artists think about this project:
Hala Mouhammad, poet
Sara Shamma, painter
Yaser Safi, painter
Golan Haji, poet
Serge Andre Mahe, poet, President of Relevements Poetiques
Bernar Mialet, writer