In Conversation with The Finnish Institutes is a 6-part discussion series hosted by the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes (Benelux, Berlin, New York, Oslo, Paris, and the UK + Ireland). Each of the discussions focus on different subject matters ranging from decolonization to Sámi arts and culture.
The conversation series invites professionals from the arts, culture, and science spheres to ponder and discuss modern perspectives on ways of creating and being. The discussions use a collection of antiracist, decolonial, and intersectional tools to bring critical perspectives to mainstream narratives. The series is curated and moderated by Monica Gathuo.
In conversation with the Finnish Institutes 6/6:
Critical Culture: Criticality in Cultural Production
May 20, 2022
Hosted by the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes and #SHN
What does critical cultural production and research look like at the moment? In the final installment of the series we approach the subject of criticality in culture from an international perspective. The panelists invited to discuss the topic are poet and freelance workshop coordinator Aurélie Disasi (Belgium), body-philosopher and performance artist Vishnu Vardhani Rajan (Finland) and musician and composer Anthoni Hætta (Norway). The discussion is organised in collaboration with and as part of the anti-racist platform #StopHatredNow.
In conversation with The Finnish Institutes 5/6:
Returning home
April 21, 2022
Hosted by the Finnish Institute in Germany
In the fifth session of In conversation with the Finnish institutes we discuss repatriation of cultural artifacts and the meaning of it, especially to the Sámi community. We examine the ways in which cultural institutions, art spaces and museums are part of the decolonial processes and have dialogue with minoritised groups and individuals. The guests joining us for the episode are archeologist Eeva-Kristiina Harlin from the Sámi Museum Siida and Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Tietmeyer, the director of the Museum of European Cultures – National Museums in Berlin.
They are joined by Mikko Fritze from the Finnish Institute in Germany, Berlin.
In conversation with The Finnish Institutes 4/6:
Our Culture to Our People
February 9, 2022
Hosted by the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute
The fourth session of In conversation with the Finnish institutes looks into inner community organising and the ways in which minoritized communities create arts and culture for themselves. Our focus is on the Sámi communities and how they work for their own benefit: producing, creating and curating for their community. This is an episode of FUBU, for-us-by-us mentality, with arts and culture in the center. The guests for the episode are activist and community organiser Petra Laiti, funding advisor at Nordic Culture Point, and curator producer Christina Hætta, the head of Cultural Unit in the Saami council. We will ponder on what and how the Sámi communities create culture and community for themselves.
They are joined by Iiris Tarvonen from the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute.
In Conversation with the Finnish Institutes 3/6:
Dreaming of Black Futures
November 24, 2021
Hosted by the Finnish Culture Institute in New York
In the third session, our guests are writer, editor, and podcast producer Jess Myers, and scholar-activist, and Ph.D. candidate Jasmine Kelekay. In the discussion, we will be imagining what kind of Blackness awaits beyond tomorrow and how it presents itself. We will be pondering on how freedom and joy are intertwined in the future Black creativity and what we can already see happening.
They are joined by Elina Suoyrjö, the Director of Programmes from the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York.
In Conversation with the Finnish Institutes 2/6:
Creating Safer Spaces
November 3, 2021
Hosted by the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux
In the second session, we discuss safer spaces together with one of the founders of the participatory urban planning agency FEMMA Planning, Efe Ogbeide, and Brussels-based cultural organizer Isabelle N’diaye. We examine ways in which institutions, cities, and public spaces can become safer for minoritized groups and individuals.
They are joined by Malin Bergström from the Finnish Institute for the Benelux.
In Conversation with the Finnish Institutes 1/6:
Decolonisation in the arts and cultural fields
October 13, 2021
Hosted by The Finnish Institute of UK + Ireland
For the first episode, we invite Dr. Carol Ann Dixon and Ali Akbar Mehta accompanied by Neicia Marsh from the Finnish Institute of UK + Ireland to discuss the concept of decolonization in art and culture institutions. This discussion will concentrate on new perspectives of building cultural meaning and creating new narratives – breaking the norms ruling the traditional culture and arts institutions in the Western hemisphere. We will be pondering on ways to deconstruct institutions and rebuild entities, identities, and belongings in the creative work.