Voyages du geste # 7 – 2013 – Saidoun

24 young artists / 8 trainers
Duration : 2 weeks – august 2013

This is the first time a residency of such an artistic and inter-cultural scope is organized in Lebanon and the Middle East region. The 7th Performing Arts residency within the Euro-Mediterranean network of cultural associations « Voyages du Geste » gathered more than 30 artists and trainers from Lebanon, Palestine, France, Italy and Portugal in the village of Saidoun – Jezzine, from August 3 to 18, 2013.

Under the theme « Looking for a Spring », Voyages du Geste # 7 was organized by KHAYAL association for Arts & Education, with funding from the Anna Lindh Foundation. The two weeks was full of joy, creativity, poetry and friendships.
The village of Saidoun was the great space to let us feel at home : the villagers rented us their houses, we ate at Em Rabih (woman who is from the village) where food and salads have multiple taste and relief ; the village grocer decided to open up to 11h00 at night during these two weeks. He gave also his number to a participant of our group in case of an « emergency ». And at night, dancing all together, participants, trainers and villagers, beyond the generations, cultures, frontiers, made us grow and open our heart that was really beautiful and magical.

This project was supported by : Anna Lindh Foundation, SIDA association, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur Region, Union des municipalités de Jezzine, State Secretary of Culture / General Direction of Arts (Portugal), Fideo Institut.