19-20 September The Curonian Spit History Museum hosted the 8th International Nida Forum “After the End of History”, bringing together intellectuals from Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Slovenia and Austria. The Forum has become a traditional space to talk about democracy, which is not a given, and the future of Europe at its core, without forgetting the human condition in this period of anxiety.
On 19 September, the programme opened with a presentation by Iryna Starovoyt, Ukrainian poet, researcher in cultural studies, doctor of philosophy and professor, entitled “Bulletproof Culture and the Art of Resilience: a view of catastrophe versus catastrophe”. On the same day, Luka Lisjak Gabrijelčič, Slovenian historian, political analyst and translator, gave a presentation on “Democracy after liberal hegemony”.
In the afternoon session, journalist and filmmaker Karolis Kaupinis explored the relationship between the empire and the colony, and in the evening there was an evening of poetry by Professor Iryna Starovoyt, with translations into Lithuanian read by poet and translator Marius Burokas.
On the second day, Austrian writer Robert Menasse discussed the prospects for a new world order in Europe and the inevitable historical changes. The political essayist, considered one of the most influential writers in European literature today, stressed the responsibility for the future, concluding his presentation with the words: “When we look at history, we always admire those, and we honour those, who saw what was born in political progress and what was to come, and who worked in that direction, even when the old powers still seemed powerful. That is how we should be seen one day. Our grandchildren will thank us!”
Alexander Abišala, Member of the Restoration Seimas, signatory of the Act of March 11 and former Prime Minister, speaks about the future of the European Union. Slovak columnist Samuel Marec presented the cyclical nature of the country’s history and analysed Slovakia’s political situation and its prospects, without shying away from irony and humour.
On Sunday, the Forum concluded with a beautiful tradition – the celebration of St. The Forum was celebrated on the second day of the Forum with a Mass celebrated on the second day of the Forum. The Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Christian Aid of the Virgin Mary.
The Nida Forum was a reminder that history is a constant transformation, that utopian ideas of Europe are fading away, and that debate is an essential tool for understanding and building the future.
The next meeting is on 2 October. In Klaipeda
The Nida Forum “After the End of History” will be continued in Klaipėda, at the Inculturation Festival – you are cordially invited to participate.
On 2 October, 5 pm, the Klaipėda County Public Ievos Simonaitytė Library (Conference Hall) will host a talk “Why Thomas Mann?”.
Participants: the Director of the Institute of the European Right, Dr. Teodoras Žukas, and the writer and translator Antanas Gailius.
More information about the event: inculturation.lt
