chokri ben chikha

Director, performer, artistic researcher and author

Ben Chikha has directed numerous performances for art institutions and organisations nationally and internationally, including in the Netherlands, France, Senegal, Tunisia, UAE, Spain and more. Many of his artistic projects have been recognised and praised for their social relevance and artistic innovation. Nowadays, he focuses mainly on productions with his company Action Zoo Humain, coaches numerous young and new theatre makers and/or actors, and teaches at both KASK/School of Arts/HoGent and the University of Antwerp. He also gives lectures and performances at various (academic) institutions, in Belgium and abroad.

Most recent projects

  • A historical photograph from a colonial exhibition in Ghent, 1913 portraying an imitation of a Tunisian tent with a Tunisian woman, 2 children and a man sitting and standing in front of a tent with signs in french saying 'Tunisian nomad tent'

    Dignity

    Are today's migration pacts a continuation of colonial deals? In his latest production, director Chokri Ben Chikha establishes a Tunisian dignity commission in exile. Artists, scientists and citizens claim their truth about migration and human rights. Inspired by the South African Truth Commission, the stage becomes a place where witnesses and commission members share their stories, doubts and truths through word, visuals and vocals.

    Read more

  • Looking for empathy - chokri ben chikha - jan beddegenoodts - action zoo humain

    Looking for Empathy

    During preliminary research for the theatre production Persians. Triumph of Empathy, director and theatre maker Chokri Ben Chikha travelled to the occupied and colonised Palestinian territories and Israel in January 2024. Together with director Jan Beddegenoodts, he made the documentary Looking for Empathy.

    In a context of occupation, war, genocide and manipulated truths, the documentary refuses to take a comfortable distance.

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  • Perzen. Triomf van Empathie © Kurt van der Elst

    Persians. Triumph of Empathy

    What role can the oldest tragedy in the theatre canon, Persians by Aeschylus, still play within the context of the current genocidal war between Israel and Palestine.

    "The most radical attempt to make the audience aware of the genocide in Gaza and the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian issue was undoubtedly ‘Persians. Triumph of Empathy’ by Chokri Ben Chikha, Action Zoo Humain & NTGent.” — Chief editor Karl van den Broeck, apache.be

    Read more

All projects

News

  • Performers Rateb Syassi, Liah Frank, Marah Hussein and Hellen Boyko performing on stage during theatre production 'Persians. Triumph of Empathy'. Screen showing bombardement in the background.

    Flemish theatre is political, even when it does not intend to be

    Apache.be (BE) | Analysis
    Karl van den Broeck

    The most radical attempt to make the audience aware of the genocide in Gaza and the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian issue was undoubtedly Persians. Triumph of Empathy by Chokri Ben Chikha, Action Zoo Humain & NTGent.

    > Read more (Dutch)

  • Performers Hellen Boyko, Rateb Syassi, Marah Hussein, Abdennacer Leblalta and Liah Frank on stage near large metallic crate structures in a dark room with blue lighting.

    How Theatre Gent finds its way into a peaceful Palestine with a zest for performing

    Der Standard (AT) | Review
    Ronald Pohl

    [Persians. Triumph of Empathy] measures the temperature [of its time]. It shows restless people who are part of a global society that no longer wants to accept war as an inevitable fate imposed on them. (...) The performance highlights the importance of the [Wiener] Festwochen as a place for theatrical and social experimentation and debate. Big applause.

    > Read more (German)

  • Performers Hellen Boyko, Rateb Syassi, Marah Hussein, Abdennacer Leblalta and Liah Frank on stage near large metallic crate structures in a dark room with blue lighting.

    Is it possible to develop compassion for the enemy?

    Süddeutsche Zeitung (DE) | Review
    Wolfgang Kralicek

    Disturbing, dystopian, exciting: ‘Perzen’ at the Vienna Festival brings Israelis and Palestinians together on stage and boldly links Aeschylus with the situation in the Middle East.

    > Read more (German)

  • Rachel Pouwer, A woman with blue eyes, wearing a gray baseball cap with white logo, small earrings, and a dark cardigan over a white shirt, looking at the camera. In the background are a list culture tips she recommends.

    Persians. Triumph of Empathy #1 Culture Tip

    NPO Cultuur (NL) | Review

    Editor Rachel Pouwer's #1 culture tip for Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO): Persians. Triumph of Empathy: 'What begins as a quasi-ironic experiment develops into a sharp reflection on power, culture, Western projections and the discomfort of "good intentions".

    > Read more (Dutch)