Opening of the ELIA conference in Gothenburg

Yesterday evening the opening ceremony of the 10th ELIA biennial Conference took place in the Concert Hall. Inaugural addresses were given by representatives from the University of Gothenburg, the City of Gothenburg, the European Commission and ELIA. The speakers emphasized the relationship between arts and the surrounding society, which was not surprising. I was more impressed by the focus on arts and environmental issues. The problem of climate change now seems to be on everybody's mind and I think it is a good idea that we are reminded about it in different contexts.

After the speeches there was a performance made by students from the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg and the University College of Dance in Stockholm. The performance was in the form of a happening with elements of circus included. It was the first time I heard a classical violinist playing Brahms while cycling on a one wheel bike!

Then good food and drink was served and the party continued in a tent completely built up for the conference by beer crates(!) right in the middle of Götaplatsen - Gothenburg's main cultural square. The purpose with the tent is to offer the delegates a place to meet in the evenings - maybe have a drink and exchange ideas and information. There is also a small exhibition with material from different schools. In addition presentations in the tradition of a "Pecha Kucha Night" will be given. Maybe you also come across this expression for the first time? This is a definition I found on Internet:

"Pecha Kucha (which is Japanese for the sound of conversation) has tapped into a demand for a forum in which creative work can be easily and informally shown, without having to rent a gallery or chat up a magazine editor. This is a† demand that seems to be global – as Pecha Kucha Night, without any pushing, has spread virally to over 100 cities across the world. Find a location and join the conversation."