23, 24, 30, 31, October & 6, 7, 13, 14 November
Tracing Erased Memories is a site-specific multimedia guided walk, that aims to connect Amsterdam and Cairo through their harboured memories of resistance against state violence. Throughout the walk, participants experience the changing image of both Amsterdam and Cairo in relation to recent socio-political turning points. The walk is layered with testimonies from people who were directly involved in the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the students’ and squatters’ protests of 2015 in Amsterdam. This period forms a pivotal moment in the political climate of both cities, as waves of resistance rose against austerity measures and authoritative regimes. Through a choreographed roadmap, visitors walk through the city center in Amsterdam with headphones and a tablet. Whilst seeing Amsterdam ahead of them, the road of Cairo starts unfolding. Sounds of car honks in Cairo juxtapose with bicycles; a building in Amsterdam starts to dissolve into a burned down political party headquarters in Cairo. This experience of mixed up and intertwined realities echoes that of Moucharrafieh and Mohamed when they first moved to Amsterdam trying to make sense of this seemingly untroubled city. Through casual conversations with the guides, who bring in their own stories and perspectives, all these different layers connect towards a collective voice of resistance.
This interactive performance takes the form of a guided walk for one or two people at a time and will take place during scheduled time slots that visitors can sign up for.
Pictures by Jeroen de Smalen.
