First Tawasol Workshop in Lebanon

As a key component of the Tawasol project, two in-depth, week-long workshops took place in fall 2023 — one in Beirut, Lebanon, and one in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Each gathering brought together the 20 Tawasol Fellows, academic and non-academic partners, as well as external facilitators to explore the intersections of cultural production, policy, and knowledge transfer. Both workshops offered collaborative learning environments aimed at fostering transregional dialogue and co-creation.

The first Tawasol workshop took place in Beirut and offered an intensive seven-day program exploring cultural production and policy in politically dynamic contexts. Hosted by Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, the workshop brought together 20 Tawasol Fellows, academic and cultural partners, and international facilitators.

Sessions addressed key questions such as: What defines cultural policy and production in Lebanon today? How can artistic practices drive social change? And how can knowledge be transferred across disciplines, languages, and regions through creative methods?

Highlights included foundational input on “Cultural Production & Policies 101,” and deep dives into artistic activism, public space engagement, and the impact of art in times of crisis. Fellows visited local cultural initiatives and landmarks – such as Zoukak Theatre and Dalieh of Raouche – and explored real-world case studies in cinema, community theatre, and civic engagement.

Interactive elements like a collaboratively developed Tawasol glossary, Pecha Kucha presentations of fellows’ project ideas, and individual mentoring sessions encouraged peer-to-peer exchange. The workshop concluded with reflective sessions and a shared outlook on the network’s next steps.