International Conference

Poznań, 22-25 April 2010

under honorary auspices of:

Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University

Mayor of the City of Poznań

and

Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region

The long weekend consists of three distinct events:

Thursday, 22 April, 18-20 h

'The social and cultural capital of cities – Festivals and their contribution to urban development strategies’, a round table event with the participation of invited experts, festival operators and the representatives of local government. They will discuss how festivals stimulate urban development and contribute to the development of social and cultural capital.

Friday, 23 April, 10-18 h

'Europe of festivals – civil society benefits?' This will be an academic conference, where invited speakers will discuss festivals' role in shaping and strengthening Europe wide civil society. Can artistic events reduce exclusion and promote inclusion of diverse local communities? Can such interventions not only build a society of art consumers but also a culture nurtured by informed debate and criticism? Do European artistic festivals enhance individual and collective attitudes of civility, and thus strengthen civil society?

Saturday, 24 April, 10-18 h and Sunday, 25 April, 10-13 h

EFRP research workshop: 'Artistic festivals with a social and intellectual agenda.' Recent years have seen the emergence of festivals dedicated to science, philosophy, economy, food, climate, and festivals celebrating feminism or gay rights, or probing globalization, migration and urban interculturality. These festivals have sought to engage new contributors to debates about the future of contemporary society but to do so through, transcending the programmes of political parties and their ideological foundations. Such festivals bring together experts, politicians, academics, students and ordinary citizens in a reflection on these new agendas inspired by artists who help to sharpen the debate through the power of the metaphor. One aim of this workshop will be to explore how the artistic components of such festivals contribute to such festivals achieving the subtle transformation in attitudes that can result in major change in social and cultural capital? Another aim is to reveal whether such artistic activities directly stimulate ‘deliberative learning and knowledge acquisition’ of citizens and ultimately whether they build a sense of involvement and responsibility of the wider civil society?