2014-02-11
Host of seminars on gender equality at the Umeå Folk & World Music Gala (2014)
I chaired three seminars on gender equality at the Folk & World Music Gala 2014, which were organised by EPOS – Equality & Plurality On Stage – a network of female musicians, dancers and producers in the folk and world music genre, in cooperation with RFoD – The Swedish Association for Folk Music & Dance.
About the festival/programme of concerts
UMEÅ2014 European Capital of Culture
Saturday 22 February:
1) 3.30-4.30 pm World music band for women only – the road to the 50/50 goal
For the Folk & World Music Awards this year, support was given to a newly created world music band consisting only of women. The initiative has given rise to a lively discussion that continues live here. Has this project succeeded in its goal of contributing to gender equality in the genre? What advantages and disadvantages are there with affirmative action and targeted measures for women? Are they necessary or are they in fact counterproductive? And what is it that actually determines the outcome? The panel discussion will conclude with an open audience discussion.
Featuring: Erika Risinger – winner of the World Music Band project, Lars Farago – former National Secretary of the RFoD and a founder of the project, Dan Engman – head teacher in the Folk and World Music study line at Framnäs College and event organiser, Ulrika Gunnarsson – gender coordinator at the Swedish Statens Musikverk (Music Development and Heritage Sweden) and folk singer, and Emilia Amper – musician
Chair: Ulrika Lind
Organisers: EPOS, RFoD
Location: Folkets hus, Umeå, Sweden
2) 4.45-5.15 pm Equality in music and dance education – what do we do now?
How equal is today’s education in folk and world music and dance? How far have we come in this crucial area? What effect do the different educational levels have? What are the most important issues for the future? The initiators of various types of gender projects in a range of music courses talk about their experiences.
Featuring: Jonas Simonson – Music and Gender, Gothenburg Music Academy, Anna Lundqvist – Cultural School for All, Sarah Parkman – Standards Appraisal Group, Swedish Royal College of Music
Chair: Ulrika Lind
Organisers: EPOS, RFoD
Location: Folkets hus, Umeå, Sweden
3) 5.30-6.30 pm The cultural sector’s gender equality perspective in Sweden and Europe
What can folk and world music learn from other cultural sectors with regard to equality? Which cultural sectors in Sweden have made the most progress in terms of gender equality? What are the reasons for this? What’s the situation with regard to gender equality in folk and world music in Europe? Can Sweden learn something from other countries or teach others something? Are there opportunities for collaboration? The panel discussion will conclude with an open audience discussion.
Featuring: Chrissie Faniadis – Kulturbryggan and the European Cultural Foundation, Ellen Nyman – actor and chairwoman of Tryck, Albert Edman – Director of development issues for Umeå Capital of Culture 2014
Chair: Ulrika Lind
Organisers: EPOS, RFoD
Location: Folkets hus, Umeå, Sweden