Fresh news from the region, straight to your screens.
١. Erik Hadife’s Nightcrawler Brings New York After Dark to Beirut
Erik Hadife debuts his first solo photography exhibition, Nightcrawler, with a series shot instinctively on the streets of New York City at night and presented for the first time in Beirut. Illuminated by streetlights, storefronts, and passing cars, the images capture fleeting moments where the city briefly reveals its inhabitants. Exhibited inside a working bar that stays open throughout, Nightcrawler lets photography coexist with nightlife — blurred, alive, and uninterrupted.
٢. Chafik Charobim Retrospective Explores the Artist’s Gaze at AUC Tahrir
The first thing you meet in Chafik Charobim’s retrospective is his gaze — direct, unflinching, cigarette in hand. It’s a look that carries through the rest of the exhibition, spanning landscapes, seascapes, intimate daily scenes, and portraits that trace where the artist’s eye traveled and what it lingered on. More than a survey of works, the show unfolds as an investigation into how Charobim saw the world, blending emerging photographic technologies of his time with the discipline of a classically trained painter. Curated by Sama Waly, the exhibition also reveals a parallel, more personal narrative through archival displays, offering insight into the artist behind the images.
Chafik Charobim (1894–1975): Lightmarks on Vanishing Points runs from December 7 to 29, 2025, at the Margo Vellion Gallery, AUC Tahrir.
٣. AFCON Kicks Off With Early Arab Wins
The Africa Cup of Nations kicked off with a strong start for Arab teams, as both Morocco and Tunisia secured opening victories. Hosts Morocco began their campaign with a 2–0 win over Comoros in Rabat, pulling ahead in the second half to claim their first three points. Tunisia followed with a convincing 3–0 victory against Uganda, marking a confident entry into the group stage. Early results signal solid momentum for both sides as the tournament gets underway.
٤. DEFND X Basement Showcase Brings Tunisian Bass Culture to Year-End
Tunis wraps up 2025 with the DEFND X Basement Showcase on 28 December at BSMNT The Club in Gammarth, featuring a lineup that spotlights the city’s thriving underground scene. The night brings together local selectors and producers — KAIZEN, THE BAK, MAMOU, LULLY SNAKE, SPACE G, and ANUNAKI, each known for pushing boundaries across bass, electronic, and club-driven sets that reflect the city’s evolving sonic identity. Curated with the Balaclava collective’s rebellious ethos at its core, the showcase promises rhythmic depth, cross-genre energy, and a cultural reset before the year ends.
٥. Hassan Hajjaj Scores Off the Pitch
As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Morocco, artist Hassan Hajjaj and sports brand Under Armour have teamed up on a striking cultural collaboration showcased on Achraf Hakimi’s limited-edition football boots. Designed for the tournament but resonating far beyond the pitch, the custom Under Armour Shadow Elite boots draw inspiration from sfifa, the intricate button embroidery found on traditional Moroccan djellabas, blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary sports performance. Only 30 pairs were produced globally, each tailored to Hakimi’s fit and presented in handcrafted packaging from Marrakech’s medina — turning the cleats into collectible, culture-charged objects. Proceeds from their exclusive sale at a Casablanca concept space will benefit the Achraf Hakimi Foundation, linking sport, art, and community impact in one move.
٦. New Works at teamLab Phenomena Illuminate Abu Dhabi
TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi has unveiled two new immersive artworks, expanding its ever-evolving digital landscape. Megaliths in the Roots Garden explores light, movement, and gravity through floating, root-like forms, while Massless Suns and Dark Suns transforms points of light into a responsive, cosmic environment. The additions reinforce Phenomena’s vision of living art — shaped by space, perception, and the presence of its visitors.
٧. Maison Margiela’s 12 Days of Digital Storytelling
Maison Margiela’s 12 Days of Margiela Instagram campaign brings the brand’s conceptual heritage to the digital sphere with a 12-day countdown highlighting its numerically coded Lines. Each day, followers discover one division of the Maison — from Artisanal pieces to fragrances — through minimalist visuals and concise captions, creating anticipation and a sense of ritual. Rather than pushing sales, the campaign educates audiences on Margiela’s universe, reinforces brand identity, and encourages exploration of its collections. By translating a historic Advent calendar into a digital experience, Margiela demonstrates how luxury fashion can engage audiences through storytelling, heritage activation, and brand literacy, all while maintaining its avant-garde and understated prestige.
٨. KOAST Makes Long‑Awaited Comeback with “Katana”
After a long‑awaited return to music, KOAST has begun sharing deeply personal creative moments with her audience, signaling a powerful comeback rooted in resilience and self‑rediscovery. In recent Instagram posts, she opened up about her upcoming project 16.09, describing its creation as “a huge part of my ‘getting back on foot’ journey” — a candid reflection of overcoming challenges and reclaiming her artistic voice. Her latest single “Katana” (feat. RamsJamsss) builds on that emotional landscape with a sound that blends strength and vulnerability, using sharp lyrical presence to reflect cutting through doubt and asserting identity. More than just a new track, Katana feels like a declaration: she’s back with intention, depth, and the courage to share her evolution with listeners who have waited patiently for her return.
٩. Mohamed Lakhdar-Hamina’s “Chronicle of the Years of Fire” Joins The Criterion Collection
Big news for film lovers! Mohamed Lakhdar-Hamina’s “Chronicle of the Years of Fire” is coming to Blu-ray for the first time as part of the prestigious Criterion Collection in January 2026. Restored by Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project, this release brings a classic of Algerian cinema back into the spotlight — a perfect chance to (re)discover its powerful story and stunning visuals.
١٠. Atlal from Galbi — Baya Rhinestones Set: Minimal Sparkle, Maximum Impact
The Atlal from Galbi Baya Rhinestones Set is the brand’s latest drop — a minimalist yet striking set featuring rhinestone details on relaxed silhouettes that bridge everyday wear and thoughtful design. It’s emblematic of Atlal from Galbi’s ethos: blending Algerian cultural memory with contemporary, clean fashion crafted in France.
This Paris‑based label, founded by designer Lilia Yasmin, roots its work in heritage and nostalgia while keeping a modern, understated edge.
١١. Dirou Niya — Do It With Intention
Rooted in the Moroccan philosophy of acting with good faith, Dirou Niya translates “clear intention” into a sharp, street-elegant aesthetic. The brand’s debut is a study in purposeful minimalism, where the spiritual concept of Tawakkul—striving for excellence while surrendering the outcome—is woven into every piece. More than a label, it operates as a social vehicle, utilizing sport and design to fund critical education and health initiatives for orphanages and single mothers across Morocco. It’s a refined, mantra-driven approach to fashion that proves true style isn’t just seen—it’s intended.
