Open call for artists to participate in the first edition of Reflejos, a festival dedicated to human rights and art. The event will mark the 15th anniversary of the Institute of Public Policy on Human Rights (IPPDH) of MERCOSUR, and aims to promote cultural expression tied to justice, memory, and social inclusion.
This celebration will take place on 18 and 19 July 2025 at the Space for Memory and Human Rights (Espacio Memoria y Derechos Humanos in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The application deadline is 29 June 2025.
Reflejos goals and human rights focus
IPPDH started Reflejos to showcase artistic works that engage with human rights. The festival encourages South American artists to reflect on regional challenges and contribute to the promotion of memory, dialogue, and democratic values. Organisers will centre the programme around public performances, artistic interventions, and open discussions.
Artists should explore at least one of the following themes: democracy, memory, truth and justice, migration, women, children and adolescents, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, older persons, LGBTI+ rights, Afro descendant identity, or social or environmental emergencies.
Who can participate and how to apply?
The Reflejos festival welcomes applications from individual artists and collectives working in music, dance, theatre, poetry, muralism, or graffiti. Participants must reside in South America. Artists interested in participating must access the full terms and conditions of the call via the following link:
Terms and conditions – Español / Português
Artists must complete the appropriate form based on their artistic discipline:
- Application form for dance,
- Application form for music,
- Application form for poetry,
- Application form for theatre,
- Application form for muralism or graffiti.
Applicants should send their respective form along with a description of their proposed work and examples of previous artistic projects. All submissions need to clearly address one or more of the Reflejos festival’s human rights themes.
Between July 1 and 4, the IPPDH will notify up to 15 selected participants, based on artistic quality, thematic relevance, diversity of countries and disciplines, and technical feasibility.
Financial and logistical information
Artists who receive an invitation must fund their own travel and accommodation. However, the IPPDH will provide a certificate of participation and a modest financial contribution to support their work during the event. All selected works will form part of the official programme of “Reflejos”.
Reflejos benefits from the support of ITAIPU Binacional, the Embassies of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in Argentina, and the Red de MERCOCIUDADES. The chosen venue, Espacio Memoria y Derechos Humanos, adds historical weight to the event. Once a clandestine detention centre under Argentina’s dictatorship, the site now serves as a museum and centre for memory. The IPPDH aims to transform this space into a platform for artistic creation and regional unity.
More information about Reflejos
All terms of reference, timelines, and application forms are available on the official IPPDH website. Reflejos organisers encourage artists to take this opportunity to use their voices and creativity to strengthen democracy, preserve memory, and defend human rights across South America.
