Encounters – Left Critical Perspectives
Conference / Exhibition [2012]
The future of European integration, political economy and culture: left critical perspectives
Conference / Exhibition (2012)
Magacin Cultural centre, 4 Kraljevića Marka St, Belgrade
In the countries that emerged from the breakup of Yugoslavia, the global crisis of the capitalist system represents the ultimate predatory moves in the demolition and transformation of the former socialist system and the benefits that its citizens fought for and created for decades. European integration has become the mantra of all leading political structures in the region. Those who advocate them unquestioningly carry out privatization processes and reductions of public budgets, while those who are against do so with the continuous generation of nationalism within the post-Yugoslav society. With their actions, both currents contribute to the strengthening of neo-fascism, which, through the rise of right-wing politics, has been present in Europe for several decades. At the same time, both options rest on the implementation of historical revisionism and the complete denial of the socialist past. Such policies have led to a catastrophic social situation for the people, to a loss of perspective for the young and extreme poverty for the elderly population. The question is, is there an alternative to such policies?
Of course, this is not a new question and for years various groups and individuals have been working to formulate criticisms and find answers based on Marxist theories and left-wing policies. This is exactly the basic intention of the Encounters, which will bring together participants from the region, initiatives, formal and informal groups and individuals who participate in the production of critical analyses, joint work and discussions, as well as solidarity actions. The Encounters represent a contribution to strengthening regional ties with the aim of creating a different perspective in solving the political, economic and cultural problems of society in the former Yugoslavia.
As part of the Encounters, through panels, lectures, reading groups and informal gatherings, issues of the EU crisis and the debt crisis in the Balkans, policies in the countries of the former Yugoslavia in the last twenty years, ideological influences on cultural production and its consequences, issues of labor relations, as well as the possibilities of creating a left-wing political alternative will be discussed.
We invite you to join us in socializing and working on considering these topics.
Organization: Kontekst collective and Marks21