An Opportunity to Reflect, Engage, and Connect

Culturistan is a space to connect with other creators and thinkers whose work is making an impact on the world around us. It is a place to step beyond our normal routines to explore new ways of thinking and to reflect on the essential questions of our time, leading to a richer engagement with the world around us and transforming what we bring to it.

Our Mission

At Culturistan we believe that dialogue is where true learning begins. Meaningful exchanges with others whose experiences are different from our own widen our understanding, invigorates our thinking, and profoundly enriches our work.

A Culturistan residency is a chance to see with new eyes. It is a place to share your own story and to engage deeply with the experiences of others, to learn to truly listen as well as to ask deeper questions. It is a chance to reignite your curiosity and refresh your worldview with peers who share your passions and values. Over the course of ten days, you and other residents will engage deeply on a given topic, stepping beyond your habitual perspectives and ultimately bringing new energy to your thinking and your work.

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Class I: What Does It Mean To Be Authentic?

Our Class I residents will reflect on this question in the Spring of 2019 at Château de Grillemont, France.

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Residents

Fayaz S. Alibhai

Islamic Studies Scholar
Kenya / UK

Iason Athanasiadis

Journalist
Greece

Estephania Bonnett

Film Producer
Colombia / Spain

Greg Ellis

Musician
USA

Gelareh Kiazand

Cinematographer
Iran / Canada

Tara Pandeya

Dancer & Choreographer
Tajikistan / USA

Yasmeen Turayhi

Social Product Marketer
Iraq / USA


“In order to be universal, you have to be rooted in your own culture.”

Abbas Kiarostami

A Kiarostami Foundation Initiative

Culturistan is an initiative of the Kiarostami Foundation. The Kiarostami Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in California, United States of America.

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News & Updates

Class I Special Guest: Jul

 Class I Special Guest: Jul 1000 1500 Culturistan

With his substantial experience in social and political parody, and fifteen years of press drawing for the biggest French newspapers, Jul is something of an exception in the world of satirical comic books. Having been brought up on Monty Python and the Marx Brothers as well as René Goscinny and “Hara-Kiri,” Jul is at a crossroads of diverse influences.

Inaugural Class Announcement

 Inaugural Class Announcement 502 502 Culturistan

The inaugural session of Culturistan will be held at the Château de Grillemont in France from May 22nd to June 1st, 2019. The eight residents selected for Class I of the program are visionary individuals who are committed to creating positive social change through their work, and represent different professional fields and nationalities.

Class I Location & Dates Announced

 Class I Location & Dates Announced 1042 695 Culturistan

Culturistan is happy to announce more details about our first residency program. Class I, “What Does It Mean To Be Authentic?“, will be held from May 22nd to June 1st…

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