The long table, according to the concept by artist and academic Lois Weaver, is an “experimental public forum, a hybrid of performance, installation, roundtable discussion, and dinner party designed to gather people with a common purpose and enable dialogue.”
Several of this year’s projects touch on the topic of Israel and Palestine, and we have organized this long table as an extension of what we believe is the urgent need to fuel empathy, humanity, and peace. For us, this means coming together to speak, hear, and listen to each other. We are not placed under direct threat of being humiliated or killed. We have the privilege of living in a free world and we cannot afford to lose the last chance to stop the continuous cycle of violence that is affecting communities close to our hearts.
While we may not be able to solve the problems, that diplomats need to arrange, we can at least become an example of the possibility of civilized co-existence, that is open to sensitive conversation based on values of respect for human life and dignity.
The Long Table invites everyone to participate and contribute their voice to the discussion. Those who may want simply to witness and listen, are also welcome. The event will be moderated by Alina Palichleb and Julie Weitz who, together with the audience, will explore topics related to empowering stepping out of our comfort zone, fueling our humanity, and making decisions to help others.
Food will be served during the event. The event is free for all.
The event is co-organized with CSW Wiewiórka.
The 8th edition of FestivALT is made possible thanks to the support of the Matanel Foundation and the Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund and it is organized as part of the "MultiMemo: Multidirectional Memory: Remembering for Social Justice" project, thanks to the support of the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program.
