A prevalent notion about the role of the arts in society suggests that they contribute to enlightenment, education, and entertainment—essentially aligning with the broader concept of societal development. This assumption is, of course, valid, and thus, social change agents often seek to integrate arts into transformation processes. However, a closer look at the role of the arts reveals that they go beyond these functions. Arts, being ‘adjacent’ to daily life and not a mechanical reflection of it, as some argue, find themselves compelled by this adjacency to offer something distinct from the aesthetics and metaphors produced by everyday life. Daily life, as we observe, engages in metaphorical work, particularly in its communicative use of language. It can imbue words with meanings that transcend their dictionary definitions, crafting expressions laden with metaphorical significance to convey complex ideas and emotions, as seen in proverbs. Similarly, it reshapes raw materials—bodies, stone, wood, clay, palm fronds—into forms that deviate from the ordinary, placing them adjacent to the arts.

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So, where does this divergence occur? What is the moment when this distinction manifests? The answer lies in the emergence of a class labeled as ‘artists’ and the subsequent independence of the arts from major phenomena such as religion and philosophy. Most importantly, it lies in the arts' reinterpretation of the aesthetics and metaphors of daily life while beginning to construct their own history. This trajectory of the arts reveals that their fundamental DNA was initially formed from the synergistic interplay of religion, philosophy, and daily life. This amalgamation endowed the arts with the unique quality of "diversity," which thrives on dialogue and exchange. All of this collectively elevates the arts beyond a simplistic societal tool to oscillate between the social and the existential, the mundane and the universal, with profound poetic intensity. Consequently, the arts move from merely serving other societal structures—whether social, economic, or political—to becoming their neighbour, influencing and being influenced by them. Moreover, the arts distinguish themselves by arising from a ‘worldview,’ as Lucien Goldmann described, inherently dialogical in nature. The creator of art is not an isolated individual but a ‘creative self’ embodying the collective experiences and historical lineage of a particular art form. For instance, a poem, despite its originality, is often an extension of countless hidden poetic texts.

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The arts, with their ability to articulate human societal and existential questions and their capacity to evoke an appreciation for existence, remain uniquely equipped to foster dialogue—a fundamental human need essential for life. Dialogue facilitates understanding among people, enables the peaceful exchange of ideas and perspectives, and serves as a bridge for expression, listening, seeing, and feeling. The arts transcend all boundaries—geographic, cultural, or otherwise—while embodying humanity's most valuable invention: storytelling. Through narrative and celebration, arts possess immense power for expression, creative listening, spatial engagement, and collective mobilization. Their ultimate achievement is crafting dialogue and exchange, something religion, philosophy, and politics cannot achieve with the same prowess as the arts.

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For this reason, arts are life.

In general, the arts can help in:

- Promoting a culture of dialogue, thereby fostering a culture of democracy, as seen in theater, which helps create a society rich in diverse ideas and opinions.

- Developing creative sensibilities, critical thinking, and an appreciation for beauty, enabling new relationships with reality and others.

- Retelling our personal stories, enhancing our relationship with the world and encouraging self-discovery.

- Spreading joy and happiness, contributing to personal growth and greater tolerance and recognition of others.

- Serving as the voice of the marginalized and poor by expressing their needs and questions, ensuring their presence in public discourse.

- Enlightening and educating in social, health, and political campaigns, supporting rights in these areas.

- Reducing conflicts arising from the inability to manage diversity, countering stereotypes about individuals and beliefs based on racial, religious, or gendered biases. This fosters implicit invitations to address taboo topics through dialogue.

- Acting as the ideal medium for cultural dialogue and exchange between peoples, enabling peaceful border-crossing.

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As Mahmoud Darwish wrote:

"I have defeated you, O Death of all arts.
I have defeated you, O Death of the songs in the land of Mesopotamia,
The Egyptian obelisk,
The tombs of the pharaohs,
The engravings on the stones of a temple;
I have defeated you, and eternity escaped from your traps.
So do with us and with yourself as you wish."

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Artwork designed by Hind Abdelbagi