Identity crises, political instabilities, ecological transitions, economic restructurings – the photographers and projects exhibited in the 24th edition of the Biel/Bienne Festival of Photography create spaces to reflect about the implications of the ruptures that preoccupy our societies today. At a time when our political systems are in crisis, debates about coexistence are rising, protests are ringing out across the globe and when social networks provoke a sense of community as well as physical isolation, the festival offers a face-to-face encounter with contemporary images. This year’s edition aims to question our collective unconscious, and perhaps, in a climate of breakdown, find a collective awareness. Because at last, is it not from the cracks and gaps that the decisive moment emerges?

Our itinerary through the city of Biel/Bienne features more than 20 exhibitions at various venues. Building on new collaborations, the festival launches two special projects to be discovered as part of the exhibition program: the Enquête photographique Jura bernois and the Taurus Prize for Visual Arts. Moreover, the Biel/Bienne Festival of Photography will be enlivened by meetings, performances, radio programmes and workshops.