Koulounisation – Salim Djaferi

Salim Djaferi's documentary theatre piece "Koulounisation" explores the power of language and its political weight, starting from a simple question he asked his mother: "How do you say 'colonization' in Arabic?" Her answer, "Koulounisation," sets off a compelling investigation into the words we use to describe history.

The show follows Djaferi's journey to Algiers, where he discovers that books on the Algerian War are filed under "Revolution" in local bookstores—highlighting how different perspectives shape the same events. Through intimate stories and encounters, the Franco-Algerian director examines the gaps language creates between people who do not share the same mastery of it.

Presented by Théâtre Public de Montreuil, this sensitive documentary restores value to words confiscated by history. It runs from Tuesday 1 June to Friday 4 June 2027 in Paris, with performances at various times.