WORDS ON FIRE – Democracy lights back

Artists and performers of Queer Writers Circle Vienna: JG Danso (she, her | moderation and discussion round), Moiz Rehan (he, him | panel discussion), Margaret Carter (she, her | voice), jamila soibiri (she, they | poetry recital), Deloria Patton (she, they | poetry recital)

WORDS ON FIRE – Democracy lights back is an evening of poetry, discussion, song, and participative reflection set in a field of political tensions where discomfort, falsehoods, and a war of words against human rights combine. The event will reignite the spirit of democracy while a bonfire burns in a barrel outside in the courtyard of WUK throughout the evening.

The programme kicks off with song and poetry performances by members of the Queer Writers Circle Vienna. It will be followed by a discussion on the role of food, ancestral knowledge, and community as sources of collective nourishment in difficult times as well as an embodiment of universal human rights. After a short break, the audience will be invited to write words on a piece of paper, words they have heard recently that pose a threat to democracy. As a symbol of burning falsehoods and reigniting democracy, these words will be cast into the fire. This fire serves as a cleansing ritual, representing a renewal of our commitment to the ideals of democratic human rights in an inclusive Europe. The ash of the bonfire will be added to compost and used as fertiliser – thus emphasising the need for regeneration while communicating that the Earth is a being that deserves democratic justice.