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Walid Raad - Festival of (in)gratitude

Photo : Far from quieting © Walid Raad

Oct 23 – Nov 22Free

Walid Raad - Festival of (in)gratitude

Prepare for a surreal masterclass where reality folds in on itself under the guidance of one of the most enigmatic storytellers in contemporary art. Walid Raad weaves a haunting, multilayered tapestry that navigates the fragile space between personal memory and historical records, turning every observation into a deeply immersive exploration of war, loss, and transformation.

Le CENTQUATRE-PARIS (104) (Paris 19th)

About

From October 23 to November 22, 2026, LE CENTQUATRE-PARIS presents Walid Raad’s Festival of (in)gratitude. This exhibition and performance series examines the historical echoes of the 1982-1983 period in Lebanon, exploring themes of exile, art history, and collective memory. Through a video installation and guided performances, Raad acts as both archivist and storyteller, weaving together fictional and historical narratives across landscapes from Lebanon to Tunis. The event is free to attend, though please note that the performance tours require advance booking to participate in this unique artistic experience.

The work of photographer and visual artist Walid Raad draws on a pivotal moment in history – the years 1982-1983, marked by the occupation of Lebanon, the Sabra and Shatila massacres, and the exile of the Palestine Liberation Organization to Tunis – to explore its contemporary resonances through various spaces and temporalities. In the guided tours he offers, Walid Raad – acting as both archivist and storyteller – recounts invented, transmitted, or found stories.

The artist is familiar with these hybrid formats, which serve as spaces for reflection on art and history, emotion and memory. The works he presents today traverse a vast territory – from Lebanon to Tunis, by way of Ljubljana – and embrace both war and reconstruction in Lebanon, as well as the history of art in the Arab world.

Our take on this event

Located in the 19th arrondissement, LE CENTQUATRE-PARIS hosts the latest work by photographer and visual artist Walid Raad. Running from October 23 through November 22, 2026, the exhibition features a video installation presented in both English and French. The work reflects on critical historical moments, specifically the occupation of Lebanon and the subsequent exile of the Palestine Liberation Organization, connecting these events to broader conversations about art history in the Arab world.

Beyond the installation, Walid Raad offers performative tours that blend archival research with storytelling. The site is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 15:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 14:00 to 17:00. Those interested in the performance tours can attend from Wednesday to Friday at 18:00, or on Saturdays and Sundays at 17:00 and 18:30. While admission to the event is free, visitors must book their performance tour in advance to ensure entry.

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