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Halaqat

Halaqat is a supraregional project connecting and supporting artists and cultural practitioners from European and Arab countries through residencies, public events, grants and exchanges focused on care and gender.

An abstract image with geometric shapes in blue, purple, and orange. In the center is the word "halaqat" in Arabic script, surrounded by circles and triangles. © Design Engy Aly

About Halaqat

Halaqat, which is the Arabic term for ‘multiple links and circles’, provides a space for cultural actors from Arab and European countries to artistically reflect on topics of care, exploring them through a gender lens.

Launched in 2021, the project fosters exchange between Europe and Arab countries and is, in its second phase from 2024 to 2027, supporting the cultural scenes especially in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.

Exploring the Notion of Care

In this phase Halaqat explores the notion of ‘care’, a concept which is deeply related to gender topics in both regions and tackles the question of gender equity and sensitivity and the power dynamics in an inclusive and intersectional way.

Engaging Questions

The project raises questions to engage in a conversation with artists, cultural practitioners and the audience about care both on a structural and artistic level:
  • How can different notions of care be addressed and expressed?
  • How do dominant narratives influence which bodies are cared about (and which not) and how can these narratives be challenged?
  • How can we strengthen practices of care in the cultural scene and in the society at large?

Exploring the Notion of Care

In this phase Halaqat explores the notion of ‘care’, a concept which is deeply related to gender topics in both regions and tackles the question of gender equity and sensitivity and the power dynamics in an inclusive and intersectional way.

Engaging Questions

The project raises questions to engage in a conversation with artists, cultural practitioners and the audience about care both on a structural and artistic level:
  • How can different notions of care be addressed and expressed?
  • How do dominant narratives influence which bodies are cared about (and which not) and how can these narratives be challenged?
  • How can we strengthen practices of care in the cultural scene and in the society at large?

What Halaqat Offers

  • Grants for artists and curators, residency hosting organizations, festivals and projects
  • Showcasing: public events and awareness campaigns
  • Capacity-building: workshops and mentorship program

Open Call for Artists in 2026 at Queens Collective – Morocco

This call is addressed to individual parenting artists who experience both working as artists and caregiving, and who are interested in participating in Halaqat Residency Program with an individual project focusing on the themes of Gender and Care.

The residency will be hosted by Queens Collective in Marrakesh, Morocco, for a duration to be chosen by the participating artist: either 6 weeks or 3 months between April and June 2026.

The residency at Queens Collective focuses on parent hood and caregiving, and welcomes artists interested in integrating care work and parenting into their creative practice. The hosting environment is welcoming and adequate for both artists and children. Children are not required to join, but may participate in the residency fully or partially.

Duration: 6 weeks or 3 months (April–June 2026).
Location: Queens Collective, Marrakesh, Morocco

Application deadline: 20 November 2025, 12:00 CET

How to Apply:

Applications are to be submitted exclusively through the Goethe Application Portal.
  • For detailed guidelines, criteria, and application materials, please read the Open call PDF below.

Open Call for Artists - Queens Collective 2026(PDF, 2 MB)

Who is who?

Who are the people and platforms shaping Halaqat’s artistic journeys? This page introduces the network of artists, residency hosts, festivals, and projects selected through the Halaqat open calls. Together, they form a cross-regional community engaging with questions of care, gender, and collaboration through artistic practices.

Residecy Hosts - EG Goethe-Institut Goethe-Institut

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to the FAQ section for the Halaqat Call for Festivals. Here you’ll find answers to common questions about the application process, eligibility, funding, and more. We aim to make this information clear and accessible to help you successfully apply for the grant.

What Has Halaqat Achieved So Far?

The project started in 2021 and gathered over 100 artists, partners and experts from the Arab countries and Europe, first in Brussels and later in Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Halaqat I: Aftermovie

Over the last three years, more than 60,000 visitors have attended public discussions, film screenings, concerts, performances, and visual art installations at Bozar and various locations in Brussels, Madrid, Rabat, Cairo and Amman.

Know more about it and watch This was Halaqat – Aftermovie

Halaqat Publication – Lessons for the Future

The Halaqat publication has been published in November 2022 by the editing house Überknackig. Get to know more about the project and read the “Lessons for the Future” for improved cultural relationships between Europe and the Arab world.

Mobility, financing, crisis as a permanent state, fair cultural relations, and exchange of expertise — these five themes marked the culmination of the “Lessons for the Future” publication, developed collaboratively by Halaqat experts in Brussels in May 2022. Together, these lessons outline a path toward strengthening cultural relations between Europe and the Arab world.

Halaqat publication © Caroline Lessire

Download the digital Halaqat publication to dive deeper into the Lessons: 

English Version(PDF, 9 MB)

Arabic version(PDF, 9 MB)

 

Partnership and Funding

Halaqat, launched in 2021, fosters cultural exchange between Europe and the Arab region. Initially co-financed by the European Union (under the designation: EU-LAS CULTURE), Goethe-Institut and Bozar, it was implemented by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with Bozar until 2023, continuing with its own funds thereafter.

The new iteration of Halaqat (2024-2027) is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut. It will run for 32 months until spring 2027 with activities in Belgium, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco.

Contact

Halaqat@goethe.de
 
  • Finanziert von der Europäischen Union

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