The central exhibition of the Fotograf Festival at the Veletržní Palace presents artistic strategies that challenge the construction and manipulation of nationalist narratives for political purposes. The works of artists from the countries of Central Europe depict recent developments and their historical conditioning.

In the post-socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the former West, we are today witnessing the rise of nationalist, populist and far-right tendencies, which are becoming more and more normalized in our societies. The introduction of discriminatory measures is justified by the vision of a united community and accepted by political representation. In both public and virtual space, it is increasingly apparent how physical and imaginary boundaries are becoming impermeable.

The twelfth year of Fotograf Festival examines the role of contemporary art in confronting this disturbing event and asks how photography and the moving image contribute to the representation, understanding and subversion of these political tendencies and their manifestations in the places we are a part of. Within thematic exhibitions, the festival connects artworks that use documentary, media-reflexive and activist approaches.

The central exhibition “Nobody Belongs Here More Than You” in the Trade Palace of the National Gallery presents artistic strategies that challenge nationalist narratives as well as their shaping and manipulation for cultural and political purposes. The exhibition “Extremely Normal” at Fotograf Gallery asks how to deal with the far right through visual means, especially in relation to contemporary photography and audiovisual art. Coming to terms with the current visual presence of far-right symbolism in public space is the theme of the “Outlet” exhibition presented at the Artwall gallery.