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The Dream’s Chebeb programme of Resist’Art offers creative support to young artists between the ages of 18 and 30 from all governorates of Tunisia. It helps these makers in develop and showcase their own productions. The participants all come from different regions, where hardly any cultural activity takes place. This initiative gives them the opportunity to realise their dreams through theatre, music or dance and then to present them to a local audience in their own region. Leila Toubel, founder and director of Resist’Art, tells us more about the importance of this project.
Art heals the wounded soul
The DOEN Foundation supports cultural partners in different parts of the world, because we believe in the impact of arts and culture. Each of these organisations have their own reasons and beliefs as to why this is so important.
Leila: “There are many reasons, but the most important one was to do my bit as a committed artist who has been fighting for freedom and human rights for thirty years. Young people lit the first flame of the Tunisian revolution (17 December 2010 - 14 January 2011) demanding freedom, dignity and work; a revolution that was confiscated, kidnapped and betrayed. Disillusioned and left to their unfortunate fate, the young people no longer have much choice as to what to do with their lives, so they board a small boat to drown before reaching the coast, or go on ‘JIHAD‘ to kill and die, or slowly agonise about doing nothing, hoping for nothing.”
For Leila, Dream’s Chebeb is a way to give young people better opportunities; creativity instead of disillusion, hope instead of betrayal.
“Art heals the wounded soul, slows down decay and helps to prevent the rejection of a homeland. In all humility, Dream’s Chebeb wants to be a lifeline, a source of hope and an outstretched hand to prevent the irreparable.”
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