Performative Session: Antimilitarism and academic activism
In this session we will hear from researcher and activist Syksy Räsänen and the Third Space theatre group.
The session consists of two parts: first, invited by the theatre group Third Space, researcher Syksy Räsänen talks about their own activism and scientific work, addressing both the possible conflicts arising from and the intersections between these two worlds, followed by a presentation and an excerpt by Third Space from the upcoming production Valkoinen tähti (‘White Star’).
The talk by Räsänen is in English. The excerpt by Third Space will be performed in Finnish.
Performers
Syksy Räsänen, cosmologist
Kolmas Tila – Third Space
Syksy Räsänen is a cosmologist who has worked at the University of Oxford, CERN, University of Geneva, Birzeit University, and other universities and research centres. He is currently a senior researcher at the University of Helsinki. He often speaks and writes about science for popular audiences. He has also been involved as an activist on various topics, including Extinction Rebellion and Palestine solidarity work. He is Chair of the Finnish branch of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), and Vice-Chair of Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network.
Kolmas tila (Third Space) is a multi-arts and theatre group that was founded in Turku in 2007, and it has been collaborating with Turku’s two universities since its founding. Kolmas tila (Third Space) strives to create a genuine interaction and dialogue between science and art, vis-a-vis the audience. Theatre is their primary medium, influenced by deep scientific collaboration with scientists from a variety of different fields, making them truly unique in Finland. Public events, such as exhibitions and open theatrical workshops, also form part of their activity. These are often connected to the theatre performances themselves. The next production Valkoinen tähti (White star) will open in February 2025.