How Much Politics, How Much Fascism?

International Symposium, 20. 10. 2011 | 15.00 | A. Trstenjak Hall, University of Maribor

How Much Politics, How Much Fascism?
An international symposium organized by the Maribor Theatre Festival and the Association of Slovenian Theatre Critics and Researchers

"On what basis do we decide what is truly dangerous and what is simply disagreeable?” (R. Močnik)
In his book How Much Fascism? (1995), the Slovenian sociologist Rastko Močnik emphasizes that we will soon have to acquiesce to living  with fascistic repercussions, so the subject of discussion can only be the extent of the Fascist impact, even though society still remains silent. The phenomenon of "fascistization” has become exceptionally widespread in Europe over the past three years, and there is no sign of its abating in the near future. Hungary is a typical example. The situation there clearly demonstrates that political obstinacy within the field of culture knows no restraint and that its influence has become horrendously extensive. The profession is left helpless in the face of political manoeuvring.
Since politically motivated recruitment of staff within the fields of culture and arts is not a new phenomenon, the question is how much Fascism we can endure, and how much of it we are prepared to tolerate. Since art production in Europe is mainly funded from the state budget, in times of crisis it is often the first victim. All of this has affected its basic role, mission, objectives and purpose. It seems, therefore, that future considerations of culture and arts should devote attention to the struggle for survival, among other things. It is also a struggle for basic human rights, which have recently been dissolving one by one. 
The purpose of the international symposium How Much Politics, How Much Fascism? is to illuminate the situation in Slovenia and abroad through the contributions of domestic and foreign philosophers, theatre theoreticians, historians and essayists of various generations, to jointly formulate a ground for the confrontation with the given situation and to propose solutions.

Andreja Kopač

Schedule:

  9.30 – 10.00 Registration & morning coffee
10.00 – 10.10 Introductory speech by the director of FBS Alja Predan
10.10 – 10.20 Short presentation and starting ideas (Andreja Kopač)
10.20 – 10.30 Short presentation of the schedule (Katja Praznik)

10.30 – 10.50 Andrea Tompa (Hungary): Expatriates in their own country
10.50 – 11.10 Madli Pesti (Estonia): Theatre performance or a political party? 
11.10 – 11.30 Katja Čičigoj (Slovenia): The potential fascism of only-laughter
11.30 – 12.15 Discussion
12.15 – 12.30 Break

12.40 – 13.00 Primož Krašovec (Slovenia): Fascism and the misery of the post-socialist  Left
13.00 – 13.20 Igor Ružić (Croatia): Focus on Croatia 
13.20 – 13.40 Rastko Močnik (Slovenia): Are we still allowed to think?
14.00 – 15.20 Discussion and closure

Moderator: Katja Praznik

There will be a simultaneous translation provided (from Slovene to English and from English to Slovene)