The frontiers of Europe, including Central/Eastern Europe and the Caucasus are at the same time the crossroads where most of the interaction, exchange and conflicts between what is “Europe” and “not Europe” happens. While these regions have been traditionally perceived as the edge of Europe, from the Western European perspective, they themselves struggle for emancipating their way of thinking and positioning themselves and their relationships, having local ownership over their destiny. Current geopolitical situation created a momentum in which voices from this parts of the world are particu larly important to be raised and to be heard. Questions that come now from this regions are very important for border European debate and struggle for defining anew our common European identi ty, values and sense of solidarity.
Dilemma is a platform, that answers the need for a new format for exchange and co-creation be tween Central Europe, Caucasus and other European countries. It’s main goals are to:
- Emancipate, re-define and decolonize the concepts of Central Europe and Caucasus through encouraging the production and promotion of new artistic and intellectual concepts, narra tives and approaches.
- Develop new practices, expressed through artistic and educational activities involving, both 'people of reflection' (intellectuals, scholars, writers) and 'practitioners' (NGO activists, community leaders, artists, cultural animators).
Dialogue stands for a need of conversation, confrontation and open discussion about the issues and problems that we don’t have ready solutions for, that require common effort and courage to be ad dressed.
Academy means an interdisciplinary space for educational and artistic activities, combining reflec tion and intellectual ferment with creation of literature and art.
Mobile because we carry out the program in different places, getting to know local contexts and creating a fabric of interdependence and co-creation.
Dilemma will take place in four locations: Georgia, Poland, Armenia and Ukraine. There is a strong need and will for solidarity and long term cooperation among us and common understanding that culture and education are on the frontline of contemporary struggle. Therefore following questions are our common dilemmas:
- How we can work with culture to make a difference, because this is sth that we in this regions and we in Europe are struggling with?
- How to emancipate in todays world from colonial culture? What does it mean for culture to be independent?
- How can we build in long term perspective the culture of solidarity and common responsibility?