Walid Raad Leads Visitors Himself Through Festival of (in)gratitude at CENTQUATRE-PARIS
At CENTQUATRE-PARIS, visitors are led through Walid Raad's exhibition, Festival of (in)gratitude, marking its world premiere with tours conducted throughout the month. This showcase presents a range of photographs, collages, sculptures, and videos that span four decades of conflict in the Middle East, particularly highlighting the events of 1982-1983, which include Israel's occupation of Lebanon, the Sabra and Chatila massacres, and the PLO's relocation to Tunis. Notable items on display comprise an overturned Volkswagen Beetle and Yasser Arafat's beds. The exhibition features three main bodies of work: The Atlas Group, Sweet Talk, and Scratching on Things I Could Disavow. It is open from 23 October to 22 November 2026, located at 5 rue Curial, 75019 Paris, with tours available for 8 to 15 euros.
Key facts
- Walid Raad personally guides visitors through Festival of (in)gratitude at CENTQUATRE-PARIS
- The exhibition is billed as a world premiere, with Raad repeating his tour more than thirty times in one month
- It runs from 23 October to 22 November 2026 in the venue's Écuries
- Works span forty years of Middle East conflict, centered on 1982-1983: Israeli occupation of Lebanon, Sabra and Chatila, the PLO's departure to Tunis
- Featured series include The Atlas Group, Sweet Talk and Scratching on Things I Could Disavow
- Objects include an overturned Volkswagen Beetle, an American aircraft carrier, Yasser Arafat's beds, Playgirl magazine and a Slovenian museum's reserves
- Performed tours last 50 minutes in French and English, cost 8 to 15 euros and require reservation
- The show is part of the Festival d'Automne and Saison Méditerranée 2026
Entities
Artists
- Walid Raad
- Yasser Arafat
Institutions
- CENTQUATRE-PARIS
- The Atlas Group
- Festival d'Automne
- Saison Méditerranée 2026
- OLP
- Playgirl
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Lebanon
- Beirut
- Sabra
- Chatila
- Tunis
- Tunisia
- Israel
- Slovenia
- United States