Theatre Academy Theme Day on 5 October focuses on decolonisation and activism
The Theatre Academy Theme Day continues the tradition of the Community Day launched in 2024 by bringing together students and staff around a topical theme to learn and share ideas. The event is held twice each academic year.
The Theatre Academy’s theme day will take place on Monday 5 October from 13:00 to 17:00. The afternoon will feature introductory talks and workshops that explore issues concerning the relationship between decolonisation and activism from different perspectives and starting points.
“In a time of rising reactionary politics and genocide, confronting and addressing colonial structures and legacies is crucial. Rather than feeling paralysed by it all, it is important to consider how different forms and methods of activism can challenge established structures and ways of thinking and create new ways of doing things,” says Lecturer Jukka von Boehm, who is the director of the Theatre Academy’s Centre for Joint Studies and in charge of planning the theme day.
During the event, participants will hear introductory talks on the topic in English. Docent Johanna Skurnik (PhD) explores the broader historical contexts and structures of colonialism by focusing on the role of maps as creators and maintainers of a colonial worldview. Paria Mohajerani, a Theatre Academy alum and performance artist, will give a talk about being a professional artist titled ”Art and Activism: How to (NOT) Change The World”.
After the introductory talks, participants will attend one of the three workshops, led by members of the Uniarts Students for Palestine group Silmu, Venla and Venla from the Theatre Academy, professors Maryam Bagheri Nesami and Aune Kallinen and performance artists Paria Mohajerani and Onur Tayranoǧlu.
Programme
13:00 Opening of the theme day (Lighting Studio KO-136.3)
13:15 Johanna Skurnik: Colonial Cartography and Its Afterlives
14:00 Paria Mohajerani: Art and Activism: How to (NOT) Change The World
15:00 Workshops
- Uniarts Students for Palestine (KO-535)
- Maryam Bagheri Nesami and Aune Kallinen (KO-523)
- Paria Mohajerani and Onur Tayranoǧlu (KO-527)
16:15 Workshop roundup (Lighting studio KO-136.3)
17:00 End of the event
The event is open to all students and staff of Uniarts Helsinki. It is organised by the Theatre Academy’s Centre for Joint Studies (YOK).
Further information: Jukka von Boehm