International Forum of Democratic Resistance

How to Jump from the Boiling Pot?

On December 5–6th, Vilnius will become a gathering place for people concerned about the resilience of democracy. At the initiative of the Lithuanian Cultural Assembly, the Contemporary Art Centre will host the international forum of democratic resistance “How to Jump from the Boiling Pot?” Participation is open to everyone – all you need to do is register.

The two-day forum will invite participants to hear first-hand about the trends that are undermining Eastern European democracies. Guests will explore what forms of action and cultural resistance can help counter these threats.

“In September, we realized that we ourselves had ended up in the same boiling pot in which the societies of many European countries have been simmering for some time. When the Lithuanian Cultural Assembly came together, its main demand to the Government was shaped by the experiences of colleagues from Georgia, Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia – countries where the ‘boiling’ process is already highly intense. Their experiences helped us clearly understand and name the threats posed by radical, society-dividing, pro-Kremlin populism to a country’s culture – and therefore to its democracy, freedom, and security,” notes Karolis Kaupinis, film director and member of the Assembly’s initiative group.

Observing similar processes of varying intensity in neighboring countries, the Lithuanian Cultural Assembly decided to take the initiative and invite journalists, activists, and cultural practitioners from states undergoing these patterns to Vilnius – not only to present the situation in their own countries to a Lithuanian audience, but also to share experiences and lessons learned with one another.

“A broader Eastern European context and recurring antidemocratic methods can help us understand how far along in the ‘boiling’ process we are compared to other countries,” says Kaupinis. “By organizing this forum, we seek to at least partially fill the enormous knowledge gap that exists not only in Lithuania but also among our neighbors regarding political developments in nearby states.”

DAY ONE

High Temperature

The first day of the event will present cases from Georgia, Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia – countries where these tendencies are already far advanced and whose negative examples can help identify quieter, less visible processes taking place elsewhere.

Georgia’s trajectory from 2012 to today will be presented by journalist, independent researcher, and protest organizer Nata Dzvelishvili. Moldova’s case will be outlined by Măriuța Nistor, recipient of the European Investigative Journalism Award for the work “Serving Russia.” Playwright and professor Gergely Nagy will explain how Hungary turned into a mafia state over fifteen years.

Processes in Slovakia will be discussed by protest organizers – film industry representative Adam Straka, who will describe where his country stands today, and former head of the now-dissolved Slovak Arts Council Robert Špotak, who will reveal how forces hostile to democracy first target institutions.

DAY TWO

Lower Temperature

On the second day, representatives of countries where similar symptoms are emerging, though the temperature has not yet reached “boiling,” will join the discussions – participants from Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Romania, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, and the Netherlands.

The Cultural Assembly aims to build an international network dedicated to strengthening societies’ resilience against radical polarization and disillusionment with their own states. Therefore, active representatives from these countries are invited to observe and analyze their own situations at the forum.

Independent researcher Jakub Bakule will present developments in the Czech Republic, which resemble those currently seen in Lithuania – where social democracy is being displaced by radical right-wing populist forces. Polish historian and director of the World War II Museum in Gdańsk Pawel Machcewicz will speak about the politicized struggle over historical memory, while translator and activist Mika Buljevic will discuss how art becomes ideologically exploited in politics.

The forum will conclude with a discussion moderated by journalists Nikodem Szczygłowski and Rytis Zemkauskas, summarizing the fears, intuitions, and threats expressed throughout the event.

The forum “How to Jump from the Boiling Pot?”, taking place on December 5–6th in the cinema hall of the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius, is open to all, with a special welcome to participants from Lithuania’s regions.

December 5th, FRIDAY

10:00–10:20

What happened in Lithuania and why have we gathered you here? | dr. Arūnas Gelūnas

10:20–10:30

Musical greeting from Vilnius JJAZZ Ensemble

10:30–12:10

The Case of Slovakia

Dismantling institutions: the case of the Slovak Arts Council | Robert Špotak
and Adam Straka

Journalism in the face of electoral authoritarianism | Tomáš Madleňák

Discussion moderated by journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas

12:30-12:40

Freestarz

12:40–14:15

The Case of Hungary

The birth and functioning of the Hungarian illiberalism | Dániel Bartha

From resistance to normalization and back | Gergely Nagy

Censorship and responses | Andrea Tompa


Discussion moderated by journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas

15:15–17:00

The Case of Moldova

Serving Moscow: Russian influence in Moldova | Măriuța Nistor

How Moldova (re)draws its path toward EU membership | Vlada Ciobanu

The Film Center as the political lifeline of the film community | Valentina Iusuphodjaev

Discussion moderated by political scientist Vytis Jurkonis

17:20–17:40

Performance by Agnietė Lisičkinaitė: Collective Protest Dance Vol. 3

17:40–19:20
The Case of Georgia

Georgia’s protests – decades of civic resistance | Nata Dzvelishvili

What methods does “Georgian Dream” use? | Zaal Buba Tchkuaseli

How did we get from Georgian Cinema Under Threat to Georgia Under Threat | Tekla Machavariani


Discussion moderated by film director Artūras Jevdokimovas