Known since its beginnings in 2007 as the instigator of FEST – the Festival Echos Sonores de Tunis – the Echos Electrik association has, since 2009, developed an even broader and more ambitious initiative, the E-FEST. A pioneering and enduring digital arts project in the MENA region.
Dedicated to digital cultures in all their diversity, the E-FEST project’s mission is to anchor and strengthen the many artistic practices linked to new technologies in Tunisia, through encounters, exchanges and reflection on creation between local and international, emerging and established artists. Each year, E-FEST evolves with the times and in space, and explores important sites of Tunisian heritage, such as Carthage Cathedral (Acropolium) and the Palais Abdellia in La Marsa, as well as art galleries, beaches and cinemas, so that the public can approach and live this experience in a multitude of ways.
This 9th edition is no exception to our constant concern to innovate, with a rich, original and demanding ‘DAYS’ and ‘NIGHTS’ program, running from November 8 to 16 on five axes and in as many sites, each offering distinct but complementary artistic approaches:
* E-FEST DAYS:
>>> The MAPP’ing exhibition, to be held at the Palais Abdellia in La Marsa, will be dedicated to video art, and in particular mapping, and how this practice approaches and transcends the notion of territory.
>>> At the new Agora cultural center in La Marsa, free introductory workshops (registration required) will be held on Processing, Ableton Live and Max for Live, respectively for interactive graphic design, musical composition and arrangement, and field r e cording. These workshops are specifically aimed at student artists who already have experience of programming and/or music creation.
* E-FEST NIGHTS
>>> INTERCAL – Électronique de Chambre, a new E-FEST initiative, is an ephemeral creative residency featuring twelve Tunisian and foreign musicians, who will oscillate between improvisations, musical dialogues and concrete music performances. These residency sessions will also be open to the public as free listeners.
>>> The Acropolium de Carthage will host Live A/V performances by ANTIVJ’s Murcof & Simon Geilfus, and Germany’s Robert Lippok and Byetone.
>>> The ‘Casa Nostra’ club in Gammarth’s Dar Naouar will be the temporary host of Electro Nights, with big sounds in techno and house, featuring big names from the international scene – Boris Werner, Levon Vincent, Lazare Hoche and Francois X – as well as up-and-coming Tunisians – Hamdi Ryder, Dawan, Salem, Unknown and Kaïs.
