Creating European Communities?

June 5, 20:00

Schijnheilig is hosting Balkan Underground Sounds on the 5th of June. This evening is part of a larger event, South East Europe: a Cultural Journey. Through this journey a group of musicians, writers, filmmakers and culinary artists from all over Southeast Europe, present the culture of their region in eight different European cities.

We would like to use this opportunity to reflect upon the possibilities and risks of involving artists, musicians and other forms of cultural expression in promoting political communities. In what way do they relate themselves to the images of South East Europe as they are presented by different institutions?  To what extent should art be seen as an expression of regional identity? How can we think about the constructive function of artistic expression on the creation and communication of identity?

In this debate, that will open the Balkan Underground Sounds night at Schijnheilig, we have invited four speakers to reflect upon these questions. With four short statements they will offer a variety of viewpoints on the issue of artistic practice and identity in European Union sponsored events such as Southeast Europe: A Cultural Journey. Of course, there is plenty of room for discussion with the public.

With:

Giusy Chierchia, freelance cultural manager and one of the organisers of Balkan Underground Sounds; South East Europe: a Cultural Journey.

Joost Baars, poet, recently wrote a Europeanised version of Allen Ginsberg’s America

Zoran Djukanovic, Essayist, critic, editor, media development aid specialist. Programme Coordinator at Press Now.

Gal Kirn, researcher at the Jan van Eyck academy.

+ music! at 21:00

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