Arabesques Festival
Since 2006, the UNi'SONS association has organized the Arabesques Festival every September. Offering an immersion in Arab culture, this 15-day event is punctuated by a multi-disciplinary program: music, theater, storytelling, film screenings, dance, calligraphy, gastronomic delights...
A genuine showcase for artists from the Arab world or influenced by this culture, the Arabesques Festival aims to foster dialogue between East and West. Artists such as Emel Mathlouti, Ghalia Benali, Dorsaf Hamdani, Bachar Mar-Khalife, Oum, Yasmine Hamdane and Waed Bouhassoun have taken part.
Every year, over 20,000 spectators flock to the various public and cultural venues in the metropolis where the festival takes place, such as the domaine d'O, l'Opéra Comédie, Halle Tropisme and public spaces.
In addition, Arabesques accompanies artistic creations inspired by the traditional cultures of the Arab world.
Caravane Arabesques
Parallel to the Arabesques Festival, UNi'SONS is developing the Caravane Arabesques project. The aim is to reach a wider audience. Meetings are organized throughout the year at various cultural venues in the region, and beyond.
Whether in terms of pricing policies, meetings with artists, awareness-raising workshops or the development of adapted itineraries, UNi'SONS also intervenes in the public space to reach audiences who are far removed from cultural offerings.
The festival is supported by the Metropole of Montpellier.
Educational actions
Two educational actions are offered by UNi'SONS:
- Jeunesse en Arabesques provides young people with humanist and civic-minded artistic experiences conveying fundamental values of respect, openness and living together. This action is aimed at all schools and educational institutions, from kindergarten to university, with a particular focus on priority neighborhoods and rural areas.
- Coulisses solidaires involves welcoming a group of young people aged 16 to 25 each year who are facing difficulties (dropping out of school, unemployment, lack of orientation, etc.). These young people will be able to get involved in the organization of cultural actions, from preparation through to the final dismantling stage when the events take place.
Practical information
- Medina opening times: Fridays from 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm
- Several catering outlets are available for spectators.
- Access to the Medina, strolls, Arabesques karaoke, Kasbah DJ sets, artistic and literary encounters, exhibitions, children's games, round tables and workshops are all free of charge.