Join 15 of the sharpest minds to discuss democracy at Aarhus Theatre
Come and meet Micah White, Carsten Jensen, Birgitta Jonsdottir, Noa Redington, Uffe Østergård, Natasha Al-Hariri and ten other inspiring speakers for a day of debates about democracy, at Aarhus Theatre on Sunday 26 February. The debate will span nine hours, including a dinner break. The day is organised by European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 and TV host Clement Kjersgaard, who will also take part. Supported by FO-Aarhus.
In recent years, the steady advance of democracy has been brought to a halt in countries across the world. During the same period, new parties and politicians have emerged in both the United States and Europe with a force that testifies to the view that 'ordinary people' have strong – and conflicting – convictions. This gives rise to the question: Will democracy win? Or are we heading somewhere completely different?
“One of the goals of European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 is to challenge and provoke us in our thinking and to work together with our region's inhabitants to become more actively engaged as citizens,” says Rebecca Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017. “This is why we are looking forward to seeing as many people as possible at the first of four evenings in which 16 of the sharpest minds today will share their thoughts on such an important issue as democracy.”
Juliana Engberg, Programme Director of European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017, adds, “Now, more than ever, we need to examine values and seek solutions that can sustain our common humanity. In this highly charged series of discussions and debates, led by spirited conversationalist Clement Kjersgaard, we ask international and Danish thinkers to hypothesise a more or less perfect future, provoke some dangerous ideas and consider the consequences.”
Nine hours' debate for just 50 kroner
European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 and Clement Kjersgaard are proud to present an impressive line-up of contemporary thinkers, for a no-holds-barred discussion about the future of democracy. Come and meet, for instance, Micah White, co-creator of the Occupy Wall Street movement, which has now spread to 82 countries. Meet Birgitta Jonsdottir, chairman of Iceland's Pirate Party. And meet the founder of the Danish satirical news website RokokoPosten, journalist Mikkel Andersson. A total of 17 writers, activists, professors, businesspeople and journalists will focus on democracy in a series of carefully composed discussions across the day.
A substantial discount on the admission fee is available to people under 25, who will pay just 50 kroner for the entire day's programme. The event takes place from 13:00 to 22:00 and includes a dinner break where people can leave the theatre to eat or enjoy a buffet at Café Hack, which must be ordered in advance.
The debate day is the first of four events during 2017 under the joint title of HYPOTHETICALS. The second HYPOTHETICAL on 21 May will focus on diversity and opportunity.
For further information, please contact:
- Trine Bang, Programme Coordinator, European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017, tel. +45 41 85 41 46
- Clement Kjersgaard, TV Host, tel. + 45 28 54 00 07
Facts about HYPOTHETICAL 1: Will Democracy Win?
Come and experience:
Micah White: Activist and co-creator of the global Occupy Wall Street movement
Birgitta Jonsdottir: Chairman of Iceland's Pirate Party, which became the country's third-largest party following the elections in 2016. Birgitta Jonsdottir is an Icelandic poet, artist, activist and politician.
Carsten Jensen: Writer
Uffe Østergård: Professor
Anna Libak: Foreign news editor, Berlingske
Mikael Jalving: Historian and radio host
Natasha Al-Hariri: Lawyer at community organisers 'Medborgerne'
Noa Redington: Journalist, author and former senior adviser to Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Mikkel Andersson: Journalist and founder of the satirical web news site RokokoPosten
Dennis Kristensen: President of the trade union FOA
Iben Krogh Rasmussen: Founder of the think tank Frej
Søren K. Willemoes: Journalist, writer for Weekendavisen
Bo Lidegaard: Historian, former editor-in-chief at Politiken
Lars Werge Andersen: President of the Danish Union of Journalists
Clement Kjersgaard: Host
Date: Sunday 26 February at 13:00 – 22:00
Venue: Aarhus Theatre
Tickets sale: www.aarhusteater.dk
