Marking 40 Years of the Havana Biennial: 15th Edition – Shared Horizons

Havana Biennial: 15th Edition – Shared Horizons

November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025

The International Biennial Association (IBA) is thrilled to spotlight the 15th edition of the Havana Biennial, Shared Horizons, a milestone event marking 40 years of this celebrated gathering. Since its inception in 1983, the Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center has positioned the Havana Biennial as a critical space for dialogue and reflection within the international art scene. Its core mission remains rooted in the research, dissemination, and recognition of visual arts from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Shared Horizons: A Call for Connection
This year’s theme, Shared Horizons, emphasizes a universal call to action: to uncover the common spaces of knowledge, expectations, and affections that unite humanity. With a focus on building more equitable and sustainable futures, the Biennial will continue to weave networks of communication and collaboration, exploring how artists and communities can foster peace, solidarity, and coexistence between humankind and nature.

Reflecting on its four-decade trajectory, the 15th edition aims to revisit and rethink themes that have shaped its history while embracing new perspectives. This moment of recognition is also one of introspection—analyzing the Biennial’s impact, recognizing its evolution, and reaffirming its commitment to decoloniality and cultural inclusivity.

Art Beyond Boundaries
What distinguishes the Havana Biennial is its unique approach: rather than centering solely on galleries and traditional art spaces, this edition will prioritize community engagement. Artists will be encouraged to immerse themselves in Cuba’s vibrant culture, collaborating with local inhabitants to create works that reflect the lived experiences, challenges, and joys of its people.

This Biennial envisions itself as an affective network, promoting respect for differences and the value of alternative knowledge systems and ways of life. It seeks to inspire projects that transcend disciplinary boundaries, fostering dialogue between diverse facets of society and culture.

A Collective Vision
At its heart, the Havana Biennial celebrates Cuba’s spirit of solidarity, creativity, and shared purpose. This 15th edition aspires to highlight the collaborative networks that sustain its legacy, reaffirming that only through collective effort can we achieve shared dreams. It invites us all—artists, curators, and communities alike—to walk together toward a utopia that challenges us to be more empathetic, more united, and less self-centered every day.

For more information on the 15th Bienal de Habana follow this link.