Danish Cultural Institute Poland joins 10th Congress of Women
Danish Cultural Institute Poland with women for women at 1oth Congress of Women in Łódź
For this year’s 10th edition of Congress of Women in Łódź 16-17 June, Danish Cultural Institute Poland will present the view on women issues and sexuality.
On the background of the recent year’s proposals to tighten up the already restrictive Polish abortion law, there is a rise of the discussion around the topic in the society and media. The Black Friday protest following these events, reached out as well to Denmark. Not that long time ago, on 23rd of March, Copenhageners showed solidarity in fear of the future of Polish women, their reproductive rights and to decide about own bodies. Sex and sexual education is still a taboo in many Polish houses though, leaving kids and teenagers whispering about it on the school’s corridors instead. And the school itself do not deliver professional sexual education either.
As we are aware of current affairs in Poland, our contribution to the Congress of Women includes three events related to the subject. An exhibition about almost 140 years of sexual education and sexual rights in Denmark, produced and showcased in Beijing before, is going to be displayed in its Polish version during the Congress. It points out the importance of communication for the better quality of life and health of everyone and the changes that have happened over decades.
Following, the dialogue will be open through discussion about reproductive rights with two representatives from the iconic Danish women encyclopedia Woman Know Your Body (Kvinde Kend Din Krop).
Last but not least, we will present a documentary Madame Soeborg’s sense of life (Fru Søeborgs fornemmelse for livet) by the Danish journalist and documentarist Lisbeth Jessen, who will also participate. The film was produced as part of a film series about strong Danish women on the occasion of the 100 years anniversary of women’s right to vote in Denmark in 2015. This year, the film will be re-actualized as it will contribute to the marking of the 100 years anniversary for women’s right to vote in Poland.
The Congress of Women
The Congress of Women, that DCI is supporting this year, was established in 2009 as a civic movement and invites all the women regardless of religion and political views to gather and look into a brighter, more equal future. Main purpose of all its actions, is to build a bound and solidarity among woman, based on the knowledge of the economical, cultural and social accomplishments, as well as the memory of her story.
Previous year in Poznan, the programme included music and art events like The Witches Choir performance (photo). 24 women of different professional backgrounds and ages were supported by percussion and electronic live orchestra. With their own narrative, they sing loud, with punk attitudes and energy but with reflection and self-irony as well.
To find out more about the program of this year’s Congress of Women, visit:
10th edition of Congress of Women
June 16-17th 2018.
Hala EXPO,
al. Politechniki 4, Łódź
Picture: The Witches Choir performance, IX Congress of Women in Poznan 9-10 September 2017, Photo: Wojtek Surdziel