Dignity

Research presentation by Action Zoo Humain & L’Art Rue

2025

Truth or dignity? Come, experience and decide for yourself. 

One population. One shared history. One scene. Inspired by the historical concept of the human zoo, Chokri Ben Chikha questions History, its silences, its repetitions. He opens a stage for confrontation: between colonial legacies and the urgencies of today. Stories, images, and movements give voice to bodies that bear witness. The colonial past is not over. It lingers in our gazes, our words, our exclusions. What remains of the human zoo? And how does it echo through our societies now?

Dignity speaks for those whom history tried to silence. Blending theatre, performance, and living memory, Ben Chikha creates; a space of resistance, a space where art sharpens our vision, where tensions between domination, representation, and otherness are laid bare. Dignity is a call to restore what has been taken(away): the place of dignity in society.

1913 Souk Tunisien Exposition de Gand - 1 © delcampe.net

L’Art Rue is an arts organization rooted in the heart of Tunis’ medina, in Souk El Blatt. It offers a space for creation, experimentation, and research, a space where traditions and cultures intersect. In a world shaped by uncertainty, L’Art Rue holds firm to its belief that art can be a place of resistance, healing, and resilience. Through creation, they choose to rise.

In 2025 L’Art Rue presents the 10th edition of Dream City, a festival that brings together artistic voices from Tunisia, the SWANA region, Africa, and Europe. The program spans location-specific creations and invited works in both the performing and visual arts. This 10th edition took place from 3 to 19 October 2025. 

  • Concept / direction Chokri Ben Chikha

    Cast Ali Ben Said, Ali Yahyaoui, Chantal Loïal, Hajer Zaidi, Mohamed Slim Dhib, Moussa Ndiaye, Nadia Tlich, Nedia Bel Hadj Bettaieb, Yasmine Akrimi, Wael Garnaoui, Leila Temime Belili, Oumaima Ben Ammar, Chorale Sidi Sami  

    Text Marwa Manaï
    Dramaturgy Sietske de Vries & Zouzou Ben Chikha
    Assistant director Marwa Ferjani   
    Video (research) Raâfet Abdelli 
    Photo (premiere) Kurt van der Elst

    Production manager Cyrine Ghrissi 
    Head of production Aisha Zaied 

    Production Action Zoo Humain & L’art Rue/Dream City 2025
    Co-production Theater Rotterdam
    In cooperation with de Heinrich Böll Foundation
    With support of the Fisher Center at Bard, the Flemish Government, the City of Ghent

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Perzen. Triomf van Empathie