City of Women: What Brings Us Joy? Festivals, Feminist Communities and Other Pleasures

This discursive event marks a return to the starting point, providing an opportunity to re-examine the very foundations of our endeavours. The word festival derives from the Latin festivus (cheerful, joyful) or festum (feast). If a festival was actually supposed to be a ritualised social gathering that suspends everyday life temporarily and creates a space for community, celebration or reflection, we must ask ourselves the following: in the current socio-political climate, what remains of that community which pauses, comes together and finds joy in such a series of organised events? What are the minimum conditions for any festival, and specifically for a feminist festival such as the City of Women? In contemporary times, how can we define a »feminist community«? Who is included and who is excluded? In light of the increasingly precarious conditions for creative work, are we still able to derive pleasure from creating art, and can we preserve joy as a political emotion that defies subjugation?

These topics will be discussed in a series of short contributions by Karina Sarkissova, an independent curator and dramaturge from Stockholm; Linn Julian Koletnik, a transdisciplinary artist, activist and researcher; and Lina Akif, an actress and performer. They will be interviewed by Teja Reba, the City of Women’s former programme director.

The discussion will be held in English.

Panel discussion: Karina Sarkissova, Linn Julian Koletnik and Lina Akif, hosted by Teja Reba

Organisation: City of Women and Maska in collaboration with Bunker Institute and The Old Power Station – Elektro Ljubljana.