The photographic exhibition "Terres de Sicile et de Tunisie – Mémoire partagée" or "Lands of Sicily and Tunisia - Shared Memory" will be held at the Maison des Arts du Belvédère in Tunis from November 7 to 21. This bilingual exhibition brings together 16 photographers from Sicily and Tunisia to explore the historical, anthropological, and rural ties between the two regions. The project is a collaboration between the Italian association I Colori della Vita and the Tunisian association Didon & Enée.
The exhibition highlights the secular links between western Sicily and southern Tunisia, which are separated by less than 150 kilometers. The regions share similar agricultural landscapes and Arab-Norman influences. The cultural exchange is reflected in common traditions, such as the fish couscous of Trapani. The photographers' works focus on the relationship between humans and the land, pastoralism, and agricultural changes in areas distant from tourist circuits.
The exhibition features photographs from Nino Castiglione, Ameni Chermiti, Mouna Fkih Khouaja, Slim Gomri, Soumaya Larbi, and Skander Zarrad, among others. The visual journey also includes a retrospective of historical photographs and postcards restored and selected by Michele Fundarò and Saber Bahri. This project was previously presented in September at the Santa Caterina museum in Gibellina, Sicily, as part of the "Gibellina, Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2026" program.
The Tunisian leg of the exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Italian Cultural Institute in Tunis. The opening ceremony took place on November 7 at 5:00 PM, and admission to the gallery is free from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The project aims to promote intercultural dialogue through the universal language of images.
The exhibition is part of a broader cultural exchange between Tunisia and Sicily. In the Italian leg of the project, chefs Peppe Giuffrè and Taieb Bouhadra offered a culinary immersion into Mediterranean cuisine. The collaboration highlights the shared heritage and traditions between the two regions.
The photographers' works showcase the daily life, traditions, and landscapes of the two regions. By exploring the relationship between humans and the land, the exhibition sheds light on the cultural and historical ties between Tunisia and Sicily. The project demonstrates the power of art to bring people together and promote cross-cultural understanding.
The "Terres de Sicile et de Tunisie – Mémoire partagée" exhibition is a unique opportunity for visitors to discover the shared Mediterranean heritage of Tunisia and Sicily. The exhibition is a testament to the enduring ties between the two regions and a celebration of their cultural diversity.
Key points
- The exhibition features 16 photographers from Sicily and Tunisia.
- The project explores the historical, anthropological, and rural ties between western Sicily and southern Tunisia.
- The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Italian Cultural Institute in Tunis.
