Slaves in the Modern Mediterranean. 17th-18th Centuries

For over three hundred years, the Mediterranean was the stage of a shared and tragic destiny: that of thousands of men and women reduced to slavery, on both sides of the shores. The Arab World Institute proposes an unprecedented approach to this period from the 17th to the 18th centuries, moving away from traditional narratives. The route relies on exceptional works of art and everyday objects, often hidden from view, to testify to the imprint left by these captives on European material culture. This historical crossing gives voice to the crossed narratives of Christians and Muslims, revealing an unsuspected human and artistic complexity. It is a rare opportunity to grasp the scale of these forced exchanges that have shaped our common heritage. This cultural event will take place from March 31st to July 19th, 2026.