Inquired: Lena Gorelik talks about sexism and artistic freedom

Lena Gorelik, born in St. Petersburg, came to Germany with her family in 1992. She was acclaimed as a breakthrough talent for her debut novel “Meine weißen Nächte” (“My White Nights”, 2004) and was nominated for the German Book Award for “Hochzeit in Jerusalem” (“Wedding in Jerusalem”, 2007). She writes essays and reports for Die Zeit, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Deutschlandradio, among others. Her latest novel, “Wer wir sind” (“Who We Are”), was published in May 2021.

Nishna Mehta from International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN) is talking about representation in inclusive TYA

Nishna Mehta is an MA in Theatre for Young Audiences graduate from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, England. Since 2019, she has engaged in a number of inclusive theatre projects including creating a digital sensory experience for young people with profound & multiple disabilities and volunteering with The Theatre Shed, an inclusive youth theatre, both based in the UK. In 2019, she was chosen to be the Champions Project lead for the International Inclusive Arts Network. As a part of the project, she has been researching and connecting inclusive arts practitioners from around the world and hosting regular online events to exchange knowledge and perspectives.

Inquired: Prof. Dr. Aladin El Mafaalani talks about freedom of expression, conflict culture, populism and the open society.

Prof. Dr. Aladin El-Mafaalani, born in 1978 in the Ruhr area, is a professor of migrant society education at the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies at the University of Osnabrück. After completing his studies, he began teaching at the vocational college in Ahlen before assuming a professorship in political science at the University of Applied Sciences in Münster and later becoming department head at the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Children, Family, Refugees and Integration in Düsseldorf. He studied political science, economics, education and ergonomics at Ruhr University in Bochum, where he went on to obtain his doctorate in sociology. He has received numerous awards, most recently from the German Sociological Association in 2020 for outstanding achievements in the field of public effectiveness in sociology.
The premiere of his new book “Why Racism - From the Invention of Human Races to Resistance Critical to Racism” will take place during phil.cologne on September 8th, 21st in the COMEDIA Theater.

Lisette Reuter(educator and special education teacher, intercultural trainer) has been working as a project manager, trainer, curator and consultant in the international, inclusive arts & culture sector since 2006. She is the founder and artistic director of the international mixed-abled performing arts company Un-Label, based in Cologne.

Inquired: Nicola Bramkamp talks about theatre & sustainability

Nicola Bramkamp has worked as a dramaturge at numerous theatres in German-speaking countries and served as head of the drama department at Theater Bonn from 2013 – 2018. There she developed the art-meets-science format SAVE THE WORLD in 2014, which deals with future global issues such as climate change. In the 4th edition of that theatrical convention, they devised the official opening of the 23rd United Nations Climate Conference in collaboration with the UN Climate Secretariat and the city of Bonn.

Inquired: Barbara Fuchs introduces the Young Dance Network

Barbara Fuchs(dancer and choreographer) founded the label tanzfuchs PRODUKTION in 2003, which stands for innovative, interdisciplinary dance theatre arts for adults and children alike. In 2016, Tanzplattform Deutschland portrayed Barbara Fuchs as one of the 50 most significant choreographers for the second time. tanzfuchs PRODUKTION is one of four “companies of excellence” funded by the state of NRW in the field of children’s and youth theatre. She received her training at Folkwang School Essen under James Saunders and on an extended study visit to New York. Among others, she has danced with Frey Faust, Misael Lopez, Gabrielle Staiger, Koni Hanft and Ingo Reulecke as well as at Teatro Viriato in Portugal, Companhia Paulo Ribeiro.