How did this grant contribute to the realization of your project in regard to artistic exchange, local cultural development and/or the promotion of cultural diversity?

We were invited for a residency by the not for profit Viafarini/DOCVA, where we also curated a program on May 27 - 28, 2013, titled "Seasonal Selections", sharing highlights from Beirut's program through filmic contributions by artists and filmmakers that manifested through exhibitions and screenings from October 2012 to May 2013, in Cairo. Furthermore the screening was introduced by a talk with Jens Maier-Rothe and myself, describing and going through Beirut's activities and seasonal programme as well as describing the social, political, legal and cultural situation in which we operate. Also we had a number of studio visits with artists in Milan and visited different public and private institutions. The trip has been a starting point for possible future partnerships or collaborations. We are currently in conversation with Nomas Foundation and Palazzo Strozzi in Florence hoping to maybe work on possible collaborative commissions, either for artists' works or future publications. Furthermore we invited a number of professionals to come to Egypt.

How does exchange, networking and international contacts contribute to the development of your artistic and cultural project?

Yes, as a curator that is a vital part of my research, but I would talk more about building a network than of merely networking.

Can you elaborate on the learning and knowledge you have gained and shared throughout this experience?

Indeed all this has been vital, from intercultural competences and building of a sensitivity, of a knowledge, for what is 'different' and unfamiliar, to artistic creativity.

Please indicate a link to your current work (website/facebook page)

http://www.beirutbeirut.org/