EVERYTHING CHANGE | PREVIEW
Taliesin Arts Centre and Swansea University proudly present a 10-day programme of virtual discussion, presented by Owen Sheers: writer of wonderful works including Skirrid Fawr and Resistance, and holder of the position Professor In Creativity at Swansea Uni. Its keynote opening speech, meanwhile, will be delivered by the magnificent Margaret Atwood (who coined the two-word phrase from which this conference takes its name); titled ‘When The Story Changes’, it commences at 7pm.
Our collective understanding of the global ecological crisis is an ever-present concern, framed by the ongoing discussion that Everything Change responds to directly. It’s intended as a platform to generate new solutions and new voices as we enter into an unknown future.
Event topics focus on a different, universal facet of existence, and the possibility of how it might be changed. So ‘Changing Money’ looks at the etymology of ecology and economy, from the Ancient Greek pragmatics to trials for the distribution of wealth and basic income. ‘Changing Food’ focuses on deforestation, pollution, and the implications of consumption; ‘…Water’ the harmful effects of rising sea levels, the consequences of a warming world, disappearing coastlines and sustainable farming.
‘Changing Energy’ mulls the production of fossil fuels, sustainable alternatives and what the future of energy sources may hold. Guest panellists for ‘…Story’ include comedian Marcus Brigstocke, with the audience asked to consider how best to drive environmentally conscious narratives forward; likewise, how this nation’s collective imagination has shifted due to the pandemic. ‘…Justice’ asks where the responsibility of tackling the consequences of climate should ideally be addressed. And ‘…Change’ – yes, changing change itself – addresses the possibilities of protest bringing about transformative shifts, the limitations of that, and the snowballing effect of societal change.
The final session, in the evening of Sat 19 June, is titled ‘Would You Sing It Out Loud?’ and finds poet laureate Simon Armitage reading with Owen Sheers and fellow versesmith Taylor Edwards. Each session is free but must be booked in advance. All commissioned work will later be showcased at the Dhaka Literature Festival in Bangladesh.
Everything Change, online, Thurs 10-Sat 19 June. Tickets: free. Info: here
words BILLIE INGRAM SOFOKLEOUS
