Self-Defined: Symposium

Thu May 28 2026 at 11:00 am to 04:00 pm UTC+01:00

Open Eye Gallery | Liverpool

Open Eye Gallery
Publisher/HostOpen Eye Gallery
Self-Defined: Symposium
Advertisement
Exploring how historical narratives are revisited, challenged and reimagined through conversations on archives, memory and representation.
About this Event

On the occasion of the exhibition Self-Defined. New Stories from Archives, this symposium brings together artists, curators and cultural professionals from regions of Europe less represented in the UK cultural sector.


Programme 

11:00-11:50. Rethinking the Past Through Institutions. 

Why does the past matter today? How can institutions engage with contested histories?

Why and how do we work together to explore history and archives from different perspectives?

Participants: 

Gosia McKane, Director, Liverpool European Partnership

Anna Bubnova, Senior Relationship Manager, Culture Responds, Arts British Council

Moderated by Sarah Fisher 


12:00-12:50. Exhibitions as Spaces for Untold Histories. 

Can exhibitions make the voices of the excluded heard? 

What responsibilities do curators and artists have when working with silenced or fragmented narratives?

Participants:

Krasimira Butseva, visual artist and researcher based in London, UK and Sofia, Bulgaria. 

Kristine Milere, exhibition curator and researcher at the Art Museum RIGA BOURSE, the Foreign Art Department of the Latvian National Museum of Art

Moderated by Max Gorbatskyi


13:00-14:00. Lunch break


14:00-14:50. Artists, Archives and Contemporary Work. 

Why are artists and curators returning to archives? 

How can artistic practice reactivate historical material?

Participants: 

Karolina Gembara, artist and researcher, Poland 

Lia Dostlieva, artist and researcher, Ukraine 

Viktoria Bavykina and Max Gorbatskyi, curators of the Self-Defined exhibition at Open Eye Gallery 

Moderated by Lindsay Tailor, Director of the University of Salford Art Collection


15:00-15:50. Archival Practices Across Eastern Europe.

How do archival cultures differ across Eastern Europe?

What political, social and historical conditions shape approaches to memory? 

Participants: 

Elene Toidze, Co-founder and Director of Creative Clusters' Alliance, Georgia.

Zula Rabikowska, artist, founder of Rethinking Eastern Europe organisation.  

Andrii Usach and Аnna Yatsenko, NGO After Silence, Ukraine.

Moderated by Viktoria Bavykina


In partnership with: The Liverpool European Festival, University of Salford and National Library of Latvia, CERS – Cultural and Creative Ecosystem of Latvia as a Resource for Resilience and Sustainability.


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Open Eye Gallery, 19 Mann Island, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Liverpool

Shaun of the Dead VHS Screening
Wed, 27 May at 07:30 pm Shaun of the Dead VHS Screening

artefact

Comedy at Shenanigans
Wed, 27 May at 08:00 pm Comedy at Shenanigans

Shenanigans

Jalen Ngonda in Liverpool
Wed, 27 May at 08:00 pm Jalen Ngonda in Liverpool

Rough Trade Liverpool

Robin Nolan Trio - For the Love of George
Wed, 27 May at 08:00 pm Robin Nolan Trio - For the Love of George

Philharmonic Hall

Youth Leaders' Breakfast
Thu, 28 May at 10:30 am Youth Leaders' Breakfast

St Aidans Centre

Awaken Your Kundalini with Tantra
Thu, 28 May at 12:00 pm Awaken Your Kundalini with Tantra

Liverpool

TOWNSIDES BALTIC WEEKENDER WARM UP
Thu, 28 May at 01:00 pm TOWNSIDES BALTIC WEEKENDER WARM UP

24 Kitchen Street

Fashion Finds: Dress for the occasion
Thu, 28 May at 02:00 pm Fashion Finds: Dress for the occasion

John Lewis Liverpool

BOLD Awards 2026
Thu, 28 May at 03:30 pm BOLD Awards 2026

BOXPARK Liverpool

Meet Francis Martin - Little People Big Deams Roald Dahl!
Thu, 28 May at 04:00 pm Meet Francis Martin - Little People Big Deams Roald Dahl!

12 College Ln

Home Design Talk: Getting your outdoor space ready for summer living
Thu, 28 May at 05:00 pm Home Design Talk: Getting your outdoor space ready for summer living

John Lewis Liverpool

Liverpool is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Liverpool Events