Embodying Resistance27.11.-24.12.2023

Embodying Resistance

The project aims to make cross-societal demands of the Woman* Life Freedom movement(s) more visible in Leipzig. 'Embodying Resistance' explores 'movement' in its multiple dimensions: as a social and political movement, a dynamic process of transformation, and self-determined physical movement. Through performances, panel discussions, film screenings, and a poster campaign in the urban space, we aim to examine strategies of resistance and explore potential ways of expressing solidarity with the Woman*, Life, Freedom movements (Jin, Jiyan, Azadî).

Program

Citywide Poster Campaign

27.11.23 - 24.12.23

Woman* Life Freedom: A collective body in motion

01.12.23 a&o Kunsthalle

6 pm

Panel Talk and Dance Film-Screening with Banafshe Esfahani (Former Cultural Officer German Embassy Tehran), Elaheh Hatami (Dance Researcher, Author), Azadeh Mirzaei (actor, producer, activist) and Samuel Sebastian (Filmmaker)

Takes place in German language

Performance: Saeed Asadsangabi, Yazdan Jamshidi (Setar) "The Kids, The Pomegranate"
Videoperformance: Azadeh Mirzaei, Samuel Sebastian: “Navigation of the Truth” and Q&A with the artists

Woman* Life Freedom: A collective body in protest

08.12.23 a&o Kunsthalle

3 pm

Workshop on the History of feminist fights in Iran with Woman* Life Freedom Leipzig

Takes place in English language

6 pm

Panel Talk with Negin Behkam (Editor, Journalist), Gilda Sahebi online (Author, Doctor, Journalist) and Arezoo Mohadjeri (Therapist, Dancer)

Takes place in German language

Performance: Shirin Farshbaf “Metaphor”

The Body Revolts.

This sentence was written on a wall in a city in Iran last year during the Woman Life Freedom movement. It has many meanings, and besides, this sentence, consisting of only a noun and a verb, is so powerful that it can depict both the real and imaginary revolutionary atmosphere.

The body was and is the foundation of the Woman Life Freedom movement. It all began with the image of Mahsa Jina Amini's innocent, suffering body on the bed of Kasra Hospital in Tehran. The first signs of the revolution manifested in this body surrounded by tubes, infusions, and life-support measures. Jina's tortured body became the flag of the revolution. It appeared everywhere, seen in every city, every neighborhood, and every house in Iran. It transcended borders and became universal. On her tombstone, it is written: "Dear Jina, you will not die, your name will become a secret word," and so it happened. The physical death of this body ignited a revolution that was entirely physical.

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We would like to point out that these events are public and address political topics. There is the possibility that people with different perspectives and views may attend. We expect a respectful interaction among participants.

Any form of disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. As organizers, we reserve the right to exclude individuals who do not adhere to these guidelines from the event.

Participants

Poster Campaign

  • Anonym
  • Atefeh (Artist, Performer)
  • Ayeda Alavie (Author, Journalist)
  • Negin Behkam (Editor, Journalist)
  • Azadeh Mirzaei (actor, producer, activist)
  • Zohreh (Curator)
  • Woman* Life Freedom Leipzig (Activists)

Panelists

  • Arezoo Mohadjeri (Therapist, Dancer)
  • Azadeh Mirzaei (actor, producer, activist) and Samuel Sebastian (filmmaker)
  • Banafshe Esfahani (Former Cultural Officer German Embassy Tehran)
  • Elaheh Hatami (Dance Researcher, Author)
  • Gilda Sahebi (Author, Doctor, Journalist)
  • Negin Behkam (Editor, Journalist)

Performance

  • Saeed Asadsangabi, Yazdan Jamshidi
  • Shirin Farshbaf

Graphic

  • S_aneh

Videoinstallation

  • Atefeh
  • Azadeh Mirzaei (actor, producer, activist) and Samuel Sebastian (filmmaker)
Stadt Leipzig – Kulturamt
Autonome Provinz Bozen Südtirol – Deutsche Kultur
Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen