Eco-feminism and Resistance from the SWANA region during the Tashweesh Festival

The third edition of the Tashweesh Festival takes place from October 9 to 12 with a program that builds bridges between ecofeminism in Europe and that of the SWANA region (South-West Asia and North Africa). Ichraf Nasri curates the program.

Curator and artist Ichraf Nasri previously participated in the festival with the Xeno collective. In this interview, she discusses the themes featured in this edition of the Tashweesh Festival and how Ichraf aims to make underrepresented artists visible.

"Visibility is not enough," Nasri emphasizes. "The goal is to sustainably embed these artists' stories and ideas into the cultural landscape." Therefore, she learns from groups like Fatsabbats, Mémoire Coloniale, the Comité des Femmes Sans Papiers, The Kitchen, and Tashattot, whose projects are rooted in social reality and connects with decolonial artists. "By leveraging the diverse perspectives I trust, I can address complex issues as accurately as possible."

An important theme this year is the relationship between food and resistance. This perspective is a common thread throughout the festival program, featuring contributions such as Myriam Bahaffou’s opening lecture on the connections between food, gender, and the current climate crisis.

The program also highlights how land and territory are connected to decolonial visions, with particular attention to Palestinian voices and stories. This edition includes contributions from cisgender men, such as Tarik Hamdan's poetry and Badi Rezzak's performance, which explore new perspectives on masculinity. "The fight for justice requires the involvement of all genders," says Nasri. This inclusive approach strengthens the festival as a platform for collective responsibility in the fight against oppression.

For more information about the festival and the full program, visit beursschouwburg.be.