Qalqalah: The Subject of Language was a thinking, writing and translation workshop organized by Qalqalah قلقلة, in collaboration with l’Atelier de l’Observatoire and in dialogue with curator and researcher Sarah Rifky. It was the first public manifestation of Qalqalah قلقلة.

The workshop is inspired by Sarah Rifky’s short story, which features the character of a linguist of the future, Qalqalah, and her reflections on languages, history, (loss of) memory and translation.

Drawing on personal research, archival materials and stories collected by the participants, as well as on the speculative potential offered by Qalqalah, the workshop was an opportunity to ask questions about what leaves traces or not, how to look at them and tell them (sometimes at the risk of exposing the actors in struggles that are still fragile).

From these materials, we experimented with different writing and translation operations (linguistic, literary or more metaphorical) to invent forms of storytelling and knowledge sharing, while maintaining the necessary strangeness which makes translation “a know-how to deal with differences”. The new materials produced gave rise to a reflection on possible forms of publication on the online platform of Qalqalah قلقلة.

The workshop was held in French, English and Arabic. It was not necessary to speak these 3 languages ​​to participate in the workshop. Informal translation processes have been put in place between the participants.

With the participation of Zineb Chafchaouni, Kaoutar Chaqchaq, Aladdino Dziri, Karima El Kharraze, Nourredine Ezarraf, Hélène Harder, Daniel O’Connell, Sarah Rifky and Kenza Sefrioui.

Moderated by Virginie Bobin and Victorine Grataloup.