Discussion abstract by Zorica Siročić
What is it about festivals that has made them attractive to generations of feminists, starting with their French revolutionary predecessors? Part of the answer lies in the fact that heteropatriarchal regimes have historically denied women and openly LGBTQIA+ people access to institutionalized art and politics through legal and material barriers, as well as through sexist and homophobic disdain for their perspectives. In turn, these groups have used various forms of creative dissent to circumvent this exclusion and express protest through the fusion of art and politics. This panel gathers scholars, organizers, and performers to reflect on the potential and limitations of feminist and queer festivals and other cultural practices, different organizational and programmatic models (e.g. Ladyfest, queerfests), share experiences, discuss festivals’ relation to feminist and queer activism, festivals as safe spaces, and desired future developments.
