Open call: Masahat festival 2024 grief residency and performances

The theme for Masahat festival for Arab Arts and Culture 18-22 September 2024 is “Protest”. Since the onset of the war on Gaza, the Norwegian public has shown immense solidarity for Palestine, with thousands of people relentlessly organizing to protest the complicity of Western governments in the ongoing genocide, and calling for divesment from the Israeli regime.

Reflecting on shared grief and anger, Masahat 2024 will offer spaces to historicize, think and organize in and beyond the streets and build enduring communities of friendships and solidarity, connecting our struggles for justice.

In this context, Masahat 2024 is looking for participants in a grief residency (22 August to 1 September) and street protest in two public events on 20 and 21 September. Farah Azrak, Masahat Festival Artist in Residency, will lead the residency at Atlier Kunstnerforbundet in the following disciplines:

– Voice
– Body and movement
– Performance Art
– Percussions
– Papier mache and costume design

Farah has a long somatic practice that takes elements of art therapy into performance methodologies and has often worked with non-skilled performers who are committed to exploring their mode of expression. Somatic work examines how the body responds to emotional distress and is not based on sharing personal narratives. Participants will not be asked to share personal stories, although if they need to share with the group they would be welcome.

This residency is for:

– Artists
– Community organisers
– Activists
– Anyone committed and interested to explore and work on grief and anger
– No previous experience is required.
– Please note that grief work can trigger deep emotions and experiences, and invites sharing of feelings, vulnerabilities and self exploration with others, and that you are willing to dive into this journey collectively!

Residents will need to cover their own visa, accommodation and travel costs to Oslo.

Please find the full open call and more information here.