Mariages - Farah

To explore this pivotal moment that is marriage in the Maghreb, discover an exceptional selection of costumes and adornments never before shown in France, juxtaposed with the creations of 18 contemporary artists from the Maghreb and its diasporas, who offer their subjective perspectives on this important moment in social and intimate life.

The wedding is a pivotal moment in the intimate and social lives of women and men around the world. In the Maghreb, this event is celebrated in great splendor because it is an occasion to come together as a community and share collective joy. One of the words used for marriage is in fact farah, “joy” in Arabic.

To discover: costumes and adornments never exhibited in France

The exhibition is organized around heritage works and will present a selection of around forty costumes and adornments never before shown in France, drawn from Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian collections. These exceptional pieces, dating from the 19th to the 20th century, celebrate the bride and the women around her while highlighting national and regional specificities, the richness of cultural legacies, and practices shared notably between Muslims and Jews. The evolution of dress, the persistence and particularity of rituals, and the symbolic and protective aspects are among the themes addressed.

Placing the bride at the heart of the presentation, but also emphasizing the role of women during these celebrations—from assembling the trousseau to making the garments and accompanying the bride—the exhibition also seeks to confront these heritage works with the perspectives of contemporary artists, thereby illuminating continuities or changes in today’s societies.

Giving voice to 18 contemporary artists

To capture the essence of these festivities in all their diversity, the exhibition, in dialogue with these rare and exceptional collections, gives voice to eighteen contemporary artists, predominantly women, from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and their diasporas. They offer their subjective views on this important moment in social and intimate life and guide us through the codified stages of marriage to help us understand what these ritual celebrations reveal today about the societies that practice them.

The exhibition Mariages-Farah, organized at the IMA as part of the Mediterranean Season implemented by the Institut Français, explores marriage as a social ritual in constant evolution. Some artists celebrate the traditions and the moments of collective joy that these festivities allow, while questioning the heritage of these traditions and their survivals. Others put certain marriage practices into perspective with the societies that practice them and the ideologies they convey.

Combining heritage objects, artistic creations, archives and an immersive scenography to highlight the material and immaterial dimensions (dance, music, costumes, food...) of this cultural heritage, the exhibition will be accompanied by a rich programme of cultural and outreach activities, inaugurated by a grand procession under the artistic direction of Mohamed Bourouissa.