A day of talks, conversations and music to rediscover the power of storytelling as a tool for connecting humans and the natural world. Tales From Earth is a creative process intertwining imagination and responsibility, guiding us toward a future rooted in the memory of the Earth. Stories become a means of acknowledging nature as an active part of our culture, reshaping the relationship between the living and the non-human.
The program unfolds along three thematic paths:
The Tree Library, a site-specific platform that transforms forgotten spaces into places for shared learning and ecological coexistence; Art and One Health, exploring the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health; Nature as co-author, where artists are invited to collaborate with trees and landscapes, recognizing nature’s creative role in shaping cultural heritage.
Guest of honour is architect Anna Heringer, honorary professor of the UNESCO Chair for Earthen Architecture, alongside the musicians of the Maqām Music Festival, featured in an evening concert dedicated to the ancient musical traditions of the Mediterranean.
Free admission subject to availability. The event will be held in English and Arabic.
Programme:
11.00 – 11.30 | The Tree Library: Cultivating Collective Harmony
The Tree Library: Cultivating Collective Harmony
Princess Mashael Al-Shalan, Co-founder, AEON Collective
Markus Reymann, Co-director, TBA21
11.30 – 12.15 | Inaugural Conference – Nature as Co-author of art and cultural heritage
Prof. Anna Herringer, Architect and honorary professor of the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture
Dr. Abdelkader Damani, Historian of Art and philosopher, Artistic Director at AEON Collective
12.30 – 13.30 | Maqām Tree of Life – Modal/Tonal Musical Tree, Neuroscience and Therapy
Professor Nidaa Abou Mrad (Sorbonne Université, Institut de Recherche en Musicologie, Antonine University, Maqām Festival)
Professor Paolo Bartolomeo (Brain Institute, Sorbonne Université)
Professor Nicolas Meeùs (Sorbonne Université, Institut de Recherche en Musicologie)
Moderator: Professor Viviane Naimy (Notre Dame University).
14.30 – 15.45 | Culture and Nature as one heritage for one heir
Princess Mashael AlShalan, AEON Collective
Mr. Julian Mylchreest, Vice Chair, Planethon 365
Prof. Carlos Duarte, KAUST
Abdelkader Damani, Historian of Art and Philosopher, Artistic Director at Aeon Collective
16.00 – 17.00 | Landscape of beauty
Luca Galofaro, architect, Italy
Dr. Diana Segantini, Art specialist, Switzerland,
Ahmed Mater, Artist, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Abdelkader Damani, Artistic Director AEON Collective, Algeria
19.00 – 20.00 | 4000 Years of Maqām Music in the Mediterranean, Maqām Festival Ensemble
Nidaa Abou Mrad, conducting, kemanšē, medieval fiddle and violin
Tarik Beshir, singing and ‘ūd
Rafka Rizk, chanting
Ghassan Sahhab, qānūn and lyre
The event will be held in English and Arabic. Free admission subject to availability.
