#StopHatredNow 2021 focuses on horizons of hope

This year’s programme is characterised by the fact that things do not change by waiting. The fields of arts and culture need active agency and everyone’s contribution in order to survive the ongoing crisis. The event emphasises questions of responsibility and asks how each of us, within the limits of our strengths and resources, can participate in building shared futures.

#StopHatredNow, organised in collaboration with several art and cultural organisations, creates discourse on diversity, inclusivity, power structures, otherness and intersectionally feminist strategies. Now it invites its participants into active, gentle dreaming and the creation of new horizons of hope.

The programme for 2021 offers free-of-charge lectures, keynotes, discussions, workshops and artistic outcomes. The first day of the event focuses on how to turn words into actions; a discussion on the Ministry of Education and Culture report Art, Culture and Diverse Finland, moderated by Globe Art Point’s Ceyda Berk-Söderblom and Sepideh Rahaa, is followed by roundtable sessions where participants can reflect on concrete ways of achieving accessible websites, intersectional climate activities, and diverse recruitment. Monday is also a day of celebration, as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) is observed with a photo exhibition and a panel discussion with QBIPOC guests.

Tuesday’s programme focuses on intersectional horizons. Artist Flis Holland discusses diversity and their own practice, while Skolt Sámi theatre director Pauliina Feodoroff opens the discussion on how art can contribute to the climate crisis politics, led by scientists and indigenous knowledge. The day’s event ends with a discussion organised in collaboration with New Theatre Helsinki, where Michelle Orenius, Geoffrey Erista and Silje Sande ponder the kinds of processes of change that are needed in the Nordic performance arts field in order for theatre to be more diverse and inclusive.

Practices of coexistence pattern Wednesday’s programme, opened by an artistic poem by Kiila’s members, after which the audience can follow a discussion on the practices of inclusion and accessibility in dance, moderated by dancer and performer Maija Karhunen. Participants can also immerse themselves in topics concerning identity politics, polarisation and conflict by way of Miriam Attias’ workshop.

On Thursday, the event focuses on youth, activism, and communities, which are discussed in a panel with Marika Peura, Ajak Majok, and Jenny Kasongo. People can also take part in a participatory dreaming session, facilitated by Ki Nurmenniemi and Anna-Kaisa Koski, where they imagine what meaningful art structures would be like in times of social and ecological urgencies.

#StopHatredNow’s last day is full of gentle drifting toward reflection on new horizons of hope as the event’s organisers come together to discuss and dream about the week’s various offerings. The week’s last workshop leads its participants to listening, supporting, sharing and dreaming with some help from Monica Gathuo and Sonya Lindfors. #StopHatredNow wraps up with an artist discussion with director Suvi West and impact producer Emmi Nuorgam, and a virtual screening of West’s documentary film Eatnameamet – Min jaskes dáistaleapmi (Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle, Finland, 2021).

#StopHatredNow is completely free of charge. It is mainly held in English, with some events in Finnish. The language of each event is marked in the schedule.

The platform is organised virtually on May 17-21 2021. The event is produced in collaboration with Caisa, the City of Helsinki, Culture for All, Globe Art Point, Goethe-Institut Finnland, Interkult ry, New Theatre Helsinki, Punos ry, Uniarts Helsinki, UrbanApa, and Zodiak – Center for New Dance.

See the day-to-day programme at www.stophatrednow.fi