Agenda

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8.30 am - 5.40 pm

For the past two decades, far-right political parties have been steadily ascending in political power globally. By mobilizing stigmata of otherness such as colour, name, language, or religious practice, they cultivate the sense of identification among the people around discourses centred on a singular, monocultural concept of nativist identity. These types of group identification manifest through different symbolic and affective ties that legitimise discrimination, xenophobia, and cultural racism as self-preservative, defensive mechanisms. Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic political theory highlighting the profound influence of both symbolic and emotional connections in shaping group identifications and the inherent conflict within society. Taking a cue from these disciplines, this conference seeks to examine how far-right practices of identification can be contested by fostering a plural and intercultural sense of identification. This examination delves into the role of various embodying practices in contributing to this transformative process. Drawing inspiration from a range of performances, including everyday interactions (such as social encounters, education programs, institutional practices), civic engagements (like protests, speeches, and policy initiatives), and artistic expressions (including theatre, dance, music, and artivism), the conference offers a perspective on the processes of meaning-making, discourse, and emotional connections, recognising conflictual dynamics at the hearth of society while fostering group identifications through diversity, internationalism, xenophilia, and inclusion.

"Identifications. Performing Counter Discrimination” is an international, interdisciplinary conference organised by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice’s Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage. The conference takes place on the 20th of November 2024, in Venice, at Ca' Dolfin (1st floor, Aula Magna Silvio Trentin). The conference has the aim to explore processes of identification capable of contesting discrimination, xenophobia, and cultural racism, by offering insights from various performance practices. The registration is free for everyone wishing to attend the conference.

For further information, please visit the conference website: www.unive.it/identifications or contact goran.petrovic@unive.it

Programme attached.

Conference Organiser
Dr. Goran Petrovic Lotina (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice | UC Louvain | Sciences Po Paris)

Conference Committee
Prof. Francesco Della Puppa (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)  
Prof. Susanne Franco (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)  
Prof. Milija Gluhovic (Warwick University)
Aneta Stojnic, PhD, LP (Psychoanalyst, IPTAR Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, New York)

Funded by the European Union (GA number: 101106330). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.