The HANOUT Workshops are a meeting place for artists, a learning environment for art mediators, a dynamic platform for all SEE DJERBA partners, and an open space for all interested ones. These sessions provide a framework for sharing knowledge, fostering collective reflection, and supporting community development. We offer backgrounds for artistic contributions to this year’s SEE DJERBA edition, train art mediators for on-site work, and assist all participants in building their mind maps. We aim to encourage a critical approach beyond idealized touristic images, offering profound insights into Djerba’s realities.
Immersive Sessions
The new online format features a structured series of sessions comprising six short lectures led by dedicated speakers. Interactive elements such as Q&A, group exchanges, and collective evaluations create a lively learning environment, allowing you to clarify concepts and engage directly with experts and peers.
Open Invitation
We warmly invite artists, art mediators, production activists, and all friends of SEE DJERBA to join us online for these sessions, whether for one meeting or all. Together, we aim to move beyond surface impressions and genuinely understand the lived reality of Djerba. Through collective exploration, we “visit” Djerba through the eyes of its residents, gaining authentic insights into local stories and memories. Participants meet with experts and researchers investigating the island’s long history and current challenges. Access to the sessions is free, but you have to register as a participant.
Environmental Realities
The program devotes significant attention to Djerba’s pressing environmental challenges, including plastic pollution, water scarcity, and the impact of mass tourism on the island’s fragile ecosystem. We aim to foster a critical understanding of the island’s ecological context and highlight its community’s resilience. We will learn about local initiatives addressing climate change and efforts to promote sustainable practices. For the first time, we will also explore the culture of light and discuss dark sky policies, emphasizing the importance of preserving Djerba’s unique nightscapes.
Settlement and Building
Djerba’s settlements and architecture are shaped by ancient traditions and the skill of its builders, reflecting the island’s communities’ structure and way of life. Natural heritage, climatic conditions, and socio-cultural practices guide land distribution and the use of local materials. This vernacular architecture, mainly driven by builders instead of by architects, demonstrates remarkable adaptation to the environment and efficient use of available resources.
Raw Materials and Ancient Crafts
Djerba’s rich heritage of craftsmanship is rooted in the island’s natural resources. In the south, artisans draw upon local clay to create the renowned pottery of Guellala. The olive tree, a symbol of Tunisia’s enduring history and sustainable agricultural practices, transforms durable wood into functional tools and decorative objects. Palm and grass fibers are woven into baskets and other decorative items, showcasing time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Wool is another essential material, spun and woven into fabrics, blankets, and carpets that serve as cultural heritage archives. Leatherwork remains a vibrant craft, with artisans producing cushions, sandals, belts, handbags, and wallets that blend ancient designs with contemporary innovation.
Foods and Natural Remedies
Culinary traditions and home remedies are deeply intertwined with Djerba’s cultural identity, offering a taste of the island’s history and daily life. Iconic recipes such as Bsisa, Shakshouka, and Djerbien Rice reflect the long history of local cuisine, while ingredients like lemon, olive oil, and salt form the basis for home remedies with roots stretching back generations.
South Tunisian Art Scene
While the capital boasts a vibrant contemporary art scene with numerous initiatives and festivals, the Tunisian south remains quiet. We will highlight notable exceptions, such as the Danseur Citoyen Sud (DCS) initiative, the “Gabes Cinema Fen” festival, and the SEE DJERBA festival. These projects provide valuable insights into how the unique contexts of southern Tunisia inspire new forms of artistic expression.
SEE DJERBA is a community-driven media art festival. It was founded by curators Aymen Gharbi and Bettina Pelz, who are still directing the project. SEE DJERBA is deeply rooted in the local community, emphasizing open participation, environmental responsibility, and civic engagement. Each edition explores themes that reflect Djerba’s ecological and cultural realities. The festival is also a platform for emerging and professional artists, offering them opportunities to create site-specific works and to collaborate with international peers in a contextually rich setting. The 5th edition will take place in Houmt Souk from 14 to 16 August 2025. Since its inception, SEE DJERBA has become a significant event for contemporary art in Tunisia, transforming public spaces into sites of collective reflection and imagination while raising awareness about critical environmental and sociocultural issues. This year’s edition is dedicated to “Water & Earth”, following past years’ themes “Water” (2023) and “Water & Salt” (2024).
Preparation for Meaningful On-Site Participation
The new HANOUT Workshops combine local knowledge, expert-led lectures, interactive exchanges, and a rich blend of cultural and environmental topics. They serve as a meeting place for the entire community, including partners, artists, and all the community members who make SEE DJERBA possible.
The program nurtures exchange and public discussion about natural and cultural heritage. It fosters critical review and collective knowledge-building within contemporary culture. Dedicated to the principles of swarm intelligence and democratic culture, these sessions equip participants to address current challenges thoughtfully and collaboratively. Ultimately, they prepare everyone to contribute meaningfully to SEE DJERBA’s artistic and cultural initiatives, both online and on-site.
HANOUT Sessions
