The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia invites to a lecture ”Seven months in Christiania” delivered by Lithuanian social anthropologist Linas Svolkinas (Vilnius University) on 16 November at 18.00. After the lecture the social anthropologist from Latvia, Klāvs Sedlenieks, will discuss the curious combination of abandoned urban territories and artistic initiatives with several representatives of independent art centres in Riga: Kristaps Puķītis (head of the contemporary art centre Dirty Deal), Maija Pavlova (producer of the Ģertrūde Street Theatre), artist Kaspars Lielgalvis (head of the prospective art centre in the former VEF factory), as well as with the Director of Danish Cultural Institute in Latvia, Simon Drewsen Holmberg. Linas Svolkinas from Vilnius University completed his Master’s degree in social anthropology at the Copenhagen University. For several years he studied the phenomenon of alternative community in Christiania and its collective ideology, delving into its life-style and ethnography. The enclave of Christiania in Copenhagen has existed for 40 years, being a home to hippies community adepts of alternative kind of living. Its 850 inhabitants oppose the idea of private property and stick to alternative values. Christiania has also contributed to the contemporary art scene of music, theatre and sculpture.
The event will take place in the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, 13/3 Marijas Street (Bergs Bazaar).
Language of the event – English.
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