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XV Oulu
Public Symposium November 2023

Light Matters: Mental well-being in the dark

Lumo Light Festival, Flow Productions
Discussion • Highlighting mental well-being in Europe today

Public access

Yes

Tickets

Free (no booking required)

Venue

Oulu, Finland

Date

17 – 19 November, 2023

Links:

Hyvän mielen talo :
https://www.hyvanmielentalo.fi/

Kulttuurivoimala – Culture Power Station : 
https://www.kulttuurivoimala.fi/

Oulu2026: 
https://oulu2026.eu/en/

Each city partner across its 16 European countries hosted a cross-sectoral symposium exploring the relationship between the city and its Ulysses inspired ARTS & SOCIETY theme – migration, democracy, mental health, environmental pollution, social co-existence, sexual equality and freedom of speech, amongst others. In June 2024 all partners gathered in Dublin to discuss the outcomes of the city symposia and the resulting pamphlet, Will You Answer? 309 Questions from Europe, will be published in late 2024, structured in the form of 309 questions (as inspired by episode 17 of Ulysses) as an inspiration for artists and policy makers alike. 

Light Matters:  mental well-being in the dark

The mini symposium was implemented on the route of the Lumo Light Festival as an open workshop in Softness lounge. The symposium was a collaboration with Oulu Culture Foundation (leading the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture project) and local NGO’s Hyvän mielen talo and Kulttuurivoimala – Culture Power Station.

“The Softness Lounge invites visitors to relax and play. It says no to necessity and normality, and yes to daring, comfort, and tranquillity. The installation tunes the spectators to contemplate on things that make them happy. People may gather in the lounge to listen to experience radios, watch dance videos, have themselves photographed at a photo wall, or just hang around. At this installation, we wish to hear what puzzles you about mental well-being. So, think beforehand what you would like to ask the crystal ball.”

Symposium photos