For long decades […] we only welcomed and read those who sympathized with our causes, and identified with our identities. I believe that the last two decades have witnessed some thoughtful and successful attempts to break these rigid moulds, and to place the seriousness of ideas and preoccupations as the criteria for calling upon a certain intellectual, from the far ends of the earth, to come and present her/his work and ideas to us. —Christine Tohme, Director, Ashkal Alwan



Initiated in 2002 and taking place every 2 years for a period of 14 days, across different venues in Beirut, Home Works: A Forum on Cultural Practices aims to present to a local and international audience a full iteration of performances, exhibitions, lectures, panels, screenings and publications put together and prompted by the necessity to gather and discuss a common set of urgent, timely questions. The work of the forum’s participants endeavors to create methods of critical inquiry and aesthetic form capable of conveying those questions meaningfully – and proposing possible solutions.