ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ismaël Saidi's "Tribulations d'un musulman d'ici" at Théâtre des Mathurins: A Vibrant Ode to Tolerance

opinion-review · 2026-10-05

Ismaël Saidi presents his solo performance "Tribulations d'un musulman d'ici" at the Théâtre des Mathurins in Paris, inspired by his own autobiographical work. A Belgian of Moroccan heritage, Saidi narrates his experiences of navigating diverse cultures. He was raised in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and Schaerbeek, obtained his baccalauréat, and had a brief stint in the police force. The show, referred to as a "lasagna of identities," stands against fanaticism. Saidi reflects on his childhood, including summer visits to Morocco and his neighbor "Madame," who fostered his love for literature and acceptance. The performance ends with the poignant reminder, "Il ne faut jamais oublier d'où l'on vient," highlighting the significance of one’s origins. Hélène Kuttner reviewed the performance for Artistikrezo.

Key facts

  • Ismaël Saidi performs "Tribulations d'un musulman d'ici" at Théâtre des Mathurins.
  • The show is adapted from Saidi's autobiographical book.
  • Saidi was born in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and raised in Schaerbeek, Belgium.
  • His family is Moroccan, originally from Tangier.
  • He attended Catholic school and later a Quranic school.
  • He obtained his baccalauréat and briefly worked in the police.
  • His previous show "Jerusalem" is also playing at the same theater.
  • The show features stories about summer trips to Morocco and an 85-year-old Belgian neighbor named "Madame."
  • The performance ends with the phrase "Il ne faut jamais oublier d'où l'on vient."
  • Hélène Kuttner authored the review for Artistikrezo.

Entities

Artists

  • Ismaël Saidi
  • Hélène Kuttner
  • Karine Darjo

Institutions

  • Théâtre des Mathurins
  • Artistikrezo

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Belgium
  • Brussels
  • Saint-Josse-ten-Noode
  • Schaerbeek
  • Tangier
  • Morocco
  • Spain

Sources