MECAM Traveling Academy – Mysticism and the City: Temporality, Spatiality, Culture, and Society
MECAM is pleased to invite you to Mysticism and the City: Temporality, Spatiality, Culture, and Society, a MECAM Travelling Academy convened by Cyrine Kortas (MECAM long-term fellow/ University of Gabès) and organized by Diana Abbani (MECAM/ Forum Transregionale Studien).
📅 Date & Time: 31st March 2026, 15:30 – 2nd April 2026, 12:00
📍 Location: University of Gabès (Higher Institute of Languages (ISLG)), Ali Jamal Street-Jara, Gabès, Tunisia
🎤 Speakers & Moderators: Susan Abraham (EUME fellow), Forat al-Hatab (Artist), Vanessa Barisch (Journalist), Emna Beltaïef (MECAM director /Vice President of University of Tunis), Julius Dihstelhoff (MECAM director), Ahmed Guerfel (Artist), Miriam Hanses (MECAM/ Forum Tranregionale Studien), Çiçek Ilengiz (Forum Transregionale Studien), Rym Lajmi (University of La Manouba), Souad Matoussi (University of Sousse), Zeineb Mchirgui (Artist), Chiraz Mosbah (University of La Manouba), Alia Mossallam (Humboldt-University of Berlin), Mariem Mtiraoui (Journalist), Yassine Najjar (University of Gabès), Friederike Pannewick (Philipps-University Marburg), Rashof Salih (MECAM/ Forum Transregionale Studien), Oraib Toukan (EUME fellow) and Isabelle Werenfels (SWP).
The Academy explores how mystical traditions — including, but not limited to, Sufism — have shaped urban life in the Maghreb and beyond. From rituals, shrines, and festivals to literature, music, and heritage policies, mysticism emerges as both a spiritual practice and a cultural, political, and imaginative force. It examines how mystical practices create belonging, negotiate spaces, and respond to uncertainty, while also generating contestation, exclusion, and power struggles. By comparing different contexts, participants will reflect on mysticism as a resource for memory, creativity, and solidarity, as well as a field of conflict, negotiation, and city-making.
For the detailed program, please click here.
For the abstracts and participants’ biographies, please click here.
We look forward to your participation!