Contesting the Public Space: Artistic, Cultural and Literary Dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa

Driss Ksikes has been called “one of the most innovative writers in Morocco today” and was named “one of the six best African playwrights” by the National Studio Theatre in London. The author of numerous plays and novels, most recently Au Détroit d’Averroes (2019), his coauthored book Le métier d’intellectuel was awarded the 2015 Prix Grand Atlas. Ksikes has also maintained an active journalism career, most notably as editor-in-chief of the groundbreaking Moroccan magazine TelQuel and its Arabic sister publication Nichane from 2002 to 2006. As curator and citizen activist, he is the co-founder of Dabateatr Citoyen (2009-12), curator of La Nuit des philosophes (2014-), and coordinator of the Fatima Mernissi Chair (2015-). Ksikes has throughout his life been an outspoken advocate for free speech and democracy in Morocco. His main concern today, besides writing and editing, is how to contribute to open and free public space in Morocco and how to develop networks of creative thinking with southern partners.

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