Luiss University, Viale Pola, Room 12
10 February 2025, 17:00 – 19:00 CET

Shifting Narratives with Art and Culture in the MENA Region

In the contemporary Mediterranean landscape, artistic expressions—ranging from documentaries and films to visual arts and digital popular culture—play a crucial role in shaping and contesting dominant narratives.

This talk explores how cultural production in the MENA region intersects with political discourse, questioning the extent to which artists and popular culture retain agency in an era of shifting power dynamics.

How do these artistic forms circulate, and what impact do they have when they enter the realm of political debate? By examining key case studies, this discussion will assess the transformative potential of art in fostering dialogue, resistance, and social change across the Mediterranean.

Catherine Cornet is a journalist and researcher. She teaches at SciencesPo Paris (Menton campus) and the American University of Rome focusing on Mediterranean cultures and societies. She has been collaborating since 20 years with the Italian Newsmagazine ‘Internazionale’ on Middle East And North Africa politics and culture.