The "Go Tunisia" 2026 festival, themed "Becoming an Environment," will feature the eighth edition of the event, which includes the BIM'26 film biennale. The festival will take place from October 24 to November 22, 2026, at the Kasbah of the Al-Attarine in the old city of Tunis. This year's event is organized in partnership with the Centre for Contemporary Art in Geneva and the Kamal Azar Foundation.
The BIM'26 film biennale, usually held in Switzerland, will for the first time be held outside of Switzerland, in Tunisia. This marks an important exception that highlights the value of human dialogue and artistic exchange between the North and South. The event will feature 16 artists from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and diaspora communities, showcasing works created specifically for this edition.
The "Becoming an Environment" exhibition explores the spaces where inherited references no longer provide security, and the future seems uncertain. It critiques the resurgence of colonial thought, environmental crises, and social and political systems. The exhibition's title is inspired by a quote from writer Gibran Khalil Gibran, where a river hesitates to merge with the sea, only to discover that what seems like an end is actually a new beginning.
Some notable artists participating in the biennale include Tbark Allah Abbassi, Yones Ben Slimane, Mona Benyam, S.A. Chavarría, Lina Habib Allah, Roman Salim Khair Eddine, Zein Majali, Alaa Mansour, Paulo Nazaré, Dian Severin Nguyen, Liv Schulman, Hildgard Titus, Natasha Tonti, and the duo Hajar Waheed and Sarah Zaryab.
The festival will also feature a forum on October 26-27, 2026, at the "Riu" space in Tunis, which will bring together artists, writers, researchers, and thinkers to discuss pressing questions. The forum will focus on four interconnected themes: the international system, memory, intelligence, and truth.
The event's organizers chose the Kasbah of the Al-Attarine as the venue due to its historical significance and symbolic importance. The Kasbah has witnessed numerous political, social, and cultural transformations since the 19th century. The festival aims to promote cultural exchange and provide a platform for artistic expression.
The "Go Tunisia" festival and the BIM'26 film biennale will continue their journey to other cities, including Venice, Brussels, Geneva, and London, after its conclusion in Tunis. The event promises to be a unique experience, fostering creativity, reflection, and dialogue among participants and attendees.
Key points
- The "Becoming an Environment" cultural project and BIM'26 film biennale will take place in Tunisia from October 24 to November 22, 2026.
- The event features 16 artists from diverse backgrounds and explores themes such as environmental crises and social systems.
- The festival includes a forum on the international system, memory, intelligence, and truth, featuring artists, writers, and researchers.
