Bâtir – Salim Djaferi: An Investigative Theatre Piece on

Salim Djaferi's *Bâtir* is a documentary theatre performance that investigates the visible and invisible traces of France's colonial heritage in urban housing. The show takes as its starting point the grands ensembles of Seine-Saint-Denis, where Djaferi grew up, noting their architectural resemblance to housing projects built in French Algeria in the 1950s.

Through interviews with relatives, residents, and researchers, Djaferi weaves together personal stories, testimonies, and archival documents to uncover how colonial history has shaped the design of cities and the way people inhabit them. The performance blends theatre, documentary, and collective memory, continuing the artist's exploration begun in his earlier work *Koulounisation*, presented at the same venue in 2023.

Presented in the second hall of the Théâtre Public de Montreuil, *Bâtir* offers a thought-provoking experience for audiences aged 14 and up. The show runs from Tuesday to Saturday, with a special Saturday matinee, and is recommended for those interested in contemporary art, history, and theatre that engages with pressing social questions.