DDX, Munathara's flagship end-of-year showcase, stands as a vibrant testament to the power of artistic expression as a driver of social change. Since 2014, this unique platform has empowered young writers, artists, activists, singers, dancers, and performers from across the MENA region to share their visions for progress through art. By blending creative expression with advocacy, DDX brings together a diverse array of performances that resonate with a broad audience, fostering a more involved, inclusive, and imaginative public sphere.
Each edition of DDX is anchored by a central hashtag prompt that challenges participants to reflect on pressing societal issues. These have included: #ThereWontBeChangeUnless (2014), #AndThisISayToThoseInPower (2015), #OthersHaveTheRightTo (2016), and #IWillBeFreeOnlyWhen (2022), which marked Munathara’s tenth anniversary.
Once the hashtag is launched via Munathara’s digital channels and partner networks, Arabic speakers from around the world are invited to submit 99-second videos responding to the prompt. Submissions span various artistic forms- poetry, speeches, rap, song, and theatre- resulting in a rich tapestry of evocative perspectives on freedom, justice, and hope.
Twelve finalists are selected for a week of intensive mentoring before performing on a professional stage in cities like Amman, Tunis, or Hammamet. These two-night events are professionally filmed for pan-Arab broadcasters and streamed on Munathara’s Facebook and YouTube platforms, reaching millions. A live audience voting system—used before and after each act—selects the winner based on their impact and resonance with viewers.
The themes explored in DDX performances are as diverse as the region's challenges, ranging from authoritarianism and gender equality to migration and personal liberty. By weaving these critical issues into compelling art, the program reaches wide audiences that might not engage with traditional debates, proving that creative expression can be a powerful force for argumentation, persuasion, mobilization, and imaginative change.
