BEYOND BOUNDARIES

The theme of the 9th edition of the International Cultural Festival of Contemporary Art reflects the vital role that contemporary art can play in addressing global challenges. In the current geopolitical climate of escalating crises, this ethos has a particularly deep resonance worldwide.

Art is not merely a means of expression; it can also act as a bridge that transcends borders and unites people. Significantly, it provides a means for us all to communicate and understand one another, despite cultural and political differences.

'Beyond Boundaries' has been chosen as the title and theme for this year's festival because it aligns with this ethos. It encapsulates our aims - personal and professional - to break down traditional barriers of all kinds. This chosen title also reaffirms our belief that art, with its expressive power and deep-rooted symbolism, can serve as an effective tool for driving positive change within societies.

Today's world is a troubled place, weighed down by challenges that range from wars and violence to humanitarian disasters and racism, among others. In difficult and uncertain times like these, the need for alternative tools to lessen the impact of negative events and improve opportunities for change is ever-more pressing. Here, art emerges as a powerful catalyst, offering a means to overcome divisions and restore a sense of balance. Empowering artists to fulfil their cultural roles and contribute to broader efforts to build more aware and open societies has never mattered more.

However, for them to play their part, we need comprehensive and supportive cultural policies in place. While there is growing international recognition of art's ability to transcend conflict, initiatives aimed at empowering artists remain limited, restricting their capacity to reach a global audience.

With commitment and resolve, we can expand the horizons for our visual creatives, offering them sustainable opportunities and strengthening their presence on the global cultural scene. We should never forget that art is not only about aesthetic expression; it is a soft power that shapes minds. It prompts us to rethink our beliefs on key issues such as racism and marginalisation. Art should never be viewed as a cultural luxury, but rather as an essential tool for thought, analysis and resistance.

Sitting at the heart of these endeavours, cultural diversity has a critical role to play in championing the artistic mission and driving forward our collective efforts to build a fairer, more inclusive world. Accordingly, the International Cultural Festival of Contemporary Art Festival calls on artists from across the globe and their esteemed galleries to come together as creatives and citizens of the world in a show of solidarity.

The festival is adamant that art must be a unifying force, committed to confronting all forms of racism, fanaticism and exclusion. From Algeria, we therefore extend an open invitation to all international art galleries to join this endeavour and make the 9th edition of our event a platform for collective expression linked to the many pressing concerns affecting humanity. We invite you as creatives to join us in one global artistic voice, rooted in humanity and facing our shared challenges.

This vision reflects not only the organisational framework for our festival, but also a genuine ambition to create a meaningful cultural and human impact through art. Our efforts are closely aligned with broader efforts to harness contemporary art as a medium for connecting, inspiring, enlightening and expanding intercultural understanding.

'Beyond Boundaries' is not just a theme - it is a call for openness. It is a manifestation of what the imagination can achieve, providing a space, away from geography or ideologies, where curious minds can meet. Above all, the festival champions the belief that art can transcend both visible and invisible walls, and reshape the world, encouraging the freedom to think and act differently, and with compassion.