LEMF FESTIVAL LAUNCH: Contested (Hi)Stories in Media and Creative Art

Tuesday 18th March Symposium, including Music Performance and Film Screening of Oksana Karpovych’s 'Intercepted' (2024) Venue: Dance Limerick (Chapel), St. John’s Square 3.00 pm Welcome & Introduction 3.30 pm Performance 4:15-5.45 pm Panel Discussion 5.45 pm Reception 6:30-8:00 pm Film Screening Academics, arts practitioners and performers come together in this interdisciplinary symposium to explore the role of media and creative arts in the telling of (Hi)Stories that challenge dominant narratives about global conflict and forced migration. The symposium kicks off with a live intimate performance of ‘Migrating Musical Selves’ which brings together Ukrainian sounds and stories. Vsevolod Sadovyj and Snizhana Rybal’ska intertwine these staged stories with melodies on unique historical instruments to illuminate the musical trajectories of forced migrants as they navigate new contexts. A panel of international artists and research project leaders will discuss forms of story-telling and how empowering arts can drive academic, political, and public discourse. Panellists include Prof. Florian Schneider (University of Trondheim/Galway); Prof. Monika Wolting (University of Wrocław); Dr. Ailbhe McDaid (MIC). The event concludes with a public screening of the award-winning Canadian-French-Ukrainian documentary Intercepted, by Oksana Karpovych. In this feature-length documentary sound and image merge as the film contrasts quiet compositions of everyday life of Ukrainians since the full-scale invasion with intercepted phone conversations between Russian soldiers and their families. The film raises key questions on fact and fiction, lived realities and media narratives. The event is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Participants and listeners are welcome to drop in throughout the day.