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BAM 2019: Palermo's Mediterranean Biennale Returns with ÜberMauer Theme

festival-fair · 2026-05-04

From October 6 to December 8, 2019, Palermo will host the second edition of BAM – Biennale Arcipelago Mediterraneo, guided by the artistic vision of Andrea Cusumano. The festival celebrates the diverse cultures and peoples of the Mediterranean, centering this year’s theme, ÜberMauer, on the concepts of walls and boundaries. Organized by Fondazione Merz and European Alternatives, the program features installations, theater, music, and discussions at locations such as Teatro Garibaldi and Chiesa dei SS. Euno e Giuliano. Notable artists include Shirin Neshat, Alfredo Jaar, and Shilpa Gupta, with standout events like Jonas Staal's 'New Unions' at Teatro Garibaldi, a concert by THE MAYFIELD at Chiesa del SS. Salvatore, and Milo Rau's 'Il nuovo Vangelo' at Chiesa Santa Maria dello Spasimo.

Key facts

  • BAM 2019 runs from October 6 to December 8, 2019 in Palermo.
  • The theme is ÜberMauer, focusing on walls and boundaries.
  • Artistic director is Andrea Cusumano.
  • Curated by Fondazione Merz and European Alternatives.
  • Jonas Staal presents 'New Unions' at Teatro Garibaldi.
  • Ignazio Mortellaro and Michele Tiberio open their studios at Palazzo Speciale Raffadali.
  • THE MAYFIELD concert marks 30 years since Berlin Wall fall.
  • Milo Rau's 'Il nuovo Vangelo' features Tania Brughera.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Fondazione Merz
  • European Alternatives
  • Transeuropa Festival
  • Teatro Garibaldi
  • Palazzo Speciale Raffadali
  • Chiesa del SS. Salvatore
  • Candelai
  • Ditta Parlato
  • Museo Civico di Castelbuono
  • StadtMuseum Dusseldorf
  • Janco-Dada Museum
  • Ein Hod
  • KAD
  • Artribune
  • BAM – Biennale Arcipelago Mediterraneo
  • Comune di Palermo
  • Università di Palermo
  • Imago Mundi – Luciano Benetton Collection
  • ZAC
  • Chiesa dei SS. Euno e Giuliano
  • Palazzo Branciforte
  • Manifesta

Locations

  • Palermo
  • Italy
  • Teatro Garibaldi
  • Piazza Magione
  • Spasimo
  • Chiesa dei SS. Euno e Giuliano
  • Teatro Bellini
  • Convento della Magione
  • Sala sopra le Mura
  • Palazzo Speciale Raffadali
  • Piazza Pietro Speciale
  • Chiesa del SS. Salvatore
  • Via Vittorio Emanuele
  • Cattedrale
  • Via dei Candelai 65
  • Piazza Croce dei Vespri
  • Castelbuono
  • Museo Civico Castelbuono
  • porticciolo di Sant'Erasmo
  • Chiesa Santa Maria dello Spasimo
  • Manchester
  • Londra
  • Berlin
  • Baghdad
  • Dusseldorf
  • Germany
  • Iraq
  • United Kingdom
  • Mediterranean
  • Sala sopra le Mura dello Spasimo
  • Steri
  • Porto di Sant'Erasmo
  • Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore
  • Cantieri Culturali della Zisa
  • London
  • Kalsa

Sources