oct2024: Muslim*Contemporary 2024 – Convivialityaspotentiality

Title: Muslim*Contemporary 2024
Subtitle: “Mirror, mirror on the wall. Are we too Muslim for this country?”

Framework Program I October 21 – November 9, 2024 I
VIENNA | UPPER AUSTRIA | STYRIA | KÄRTNEN | VORARLBERG

More information at: www.muslimcontemporary.at

Once upon a time, there was a land without borders, a garden for everyone. Art and culture everywhere: in parks, in every alley, in community spaces, and in the vast realm of the internet — places for stories and dreams.

We weed out the weeds, plant in museums and galleries, and nurture the streets with images and words. Muslims are more than baklava and çay, more than music and dance. They are hosts and creators, and they disrupt the system:

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, are we too critical, too diverse, too solidar for this country?”

Despite all the talk about diversity in art and culture, structural changes are lacking. Creators affected by racism are only briefly and selectively invited to the art scene. They serve as decorative embellishments, tolerated for a time and excluded from important decision-making positions.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall. Are we too Muslim, too Black, too migrant for this country?”

With this year’s edition of Muslim*Contemporary, we take a step into the world of fairy tales and dreams. We embark on a journey that poses critical questions to Austria and Europe and looks beyond the typical narratives.

We allow ourselves to speak together about unspoken truths and share experiences and feelings that have yet to be named. We want to exchange ideas about daily challenges and develop strategies. Above all, we want to create spaces where our dreams and longings find a place — spaces that are often denied to us; spaces that we must fight for.

Because our stories and feelings all too often remain untold and unwritten. Under the motto “Are we too Muslim for this country?” we want to bring the complexity of identities and belonging to the stages, to paper, and into minds:

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, Austria, are you ready for all of us?”

Muslim* What?
Muslim*Contemporary is the multidisciplinary, anti-racist, intersectional feminist festival that Austria was missing — and still needs! This multi-day festival reflects the significance and participation of Muslim communities in Austrian society. It’s about art, mediation, and exchange.

The festival focuses on exhibitions with a comprehensive dialogical and participatory program at various locations in the city, including the Exhibit of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. A wide range of artistic works will be presented, accompanied by workshops, readings, as well as Safer Spaces and concerts.

This year’s edition of the festival is curated by Asma Aiad, Esma Bošnjaković, and Anahita Neghabat, co-curated by a much larger team, and supported by Salam Oida.

Who is Salam Oida?
Salam Oida is an online and offline community and collective that provides a safe space for artistic expression, self-determined modes of expression, and empowerment, especially for Muslim, Muslim-identified, and marginalized individuals. We celebrate ourselves, support each other, and encourage the Austrian art and culture scene to critically question and rethink established norms.

Muslim* Who?
This year’s Muslim*Contemporary includes artistic works and contributions from:

ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM AT:

www.muslimcontemporary.at