Photo : DR
The wedding as a performance
Echoing the exhibition 'Vive la mariée!', the Arab World Institute is organizing a series of round tables on the social, cultural, and contemporary issues surrounding marriage in the Arab world.
L'Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris 5th)
This event has ended.
About
In many Arab societies, marriage involves a family, a status, a reputation. The dress, the venue, the number of guests, or the trousseau all become social signs.
In Algeria, doors sometimes remain open to the entire village; in Egypt, some families go into debt to prepare the trousseau; in the Comoros, the 'grand mariage' can mobilize a lifetime of savings.
This staging of marriage contributes to social recognition and group belonging.
With:
Rim Affaya, anthropologist, postdoctoral researcher at Aix-Marseille University and research fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.
Maissane Al Ibrahimi, Franco-Moroccan visual artist.
Moderation:
Karine Marazyan, lecturer and researcher in economics at the University of Rouen Normandy.
Our take on this event
Discover the hidden layers of marriage rituals in the Arab world, where elaborate weddings serve as powerful mirrors of social identity and community bonding. Artists and researchers come together to unpack how these grand performances turn personal milestones into fascinating cultural spectacles.
The Institut du Monde Arabe hosts an insightful exploration of marriage as a social performance within Arab societies on Sunday, October 11, 2026. This discussion examines how wedding rituals serve as markers of status and community belonging, reflecting diverse traditions from Algeria to the Comoros. Anthropologist Rim Affaya, visual artist Maissane Al Ibrahimi, and economist Karine Marazyan analyze the profound cultural, economic, and social implications of these union ceremonies. The event takes place from 15:00 to 16:00 in the Haut Conseil room on level 9. Admission is free upon reservation for attendees aged 18 and over, and the venue is fully wheelchair accessible.
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, the Institut du Monde Arabe, located in the 5th arrondissement, invites you to a session dedicated to the sociology of marriage. From 15:00 to 16:00, experts will discuss how weddings transcend the individual, acting as a stage for family reputation and social status. Through specific regional examples, such as the grand weddings in the Comoros or the communal celebrations in Algeria, the talk highlights how these events are embedded in economic and social dynamics.
The panel features Rim Affaya, a postdoctoral researcher in anthropology, and French-Moroccan visual artist Maissane Al Ibrahimi, with moderation provided by economist Karine Marazyan. Their conversation promises a deep dive into the performative nature of these life-changing rites.
Participation is open to those aged 18 and older. While the event is free of charge, you are required to make a reservation in advance. You will find the session in the Haut Conseil room on level 9, which is fully accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
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