Feministeerium presents: Tallinn Feminist Forum, from October 31st to November 5th in Tallinn and Tartu
TALFF is a biannual feminist festival organized by Feministeerium, starting from 2019. The aim of TALFF is to empower the feminist community through face-to-face events and discussions.
The pre-event will take place in Tallinn on October 31st, the first day of the festival will take place on November 4th at Vabamu, in Tallinn, and the second day on November 5th at Genialistide Klubi, in Tartu.
The theme of the third TALFF is sexual consent. We will present an autobiographical book about gender transition, recently published in Finland, excerpts of which will be published in Estonian in two parts. We will discuss how feminist issues in Estonia have changed over the last twenty years. We will hear about the struggles faced by female war refugees who have come to Estonia. We will watch a performance about motherhood. We will talk about gender equality from a male perspective. We will make jokes and read our own poetry. We will exchange thought on sexual consent in workshops. Everyone interested in attending is most welcome!
See the programme below and save the date!
Programme
Tuesday, October 31st – pre-event
Bar Heldeke!, Tööstuse 13
18.00 Conversation with Finnish artist Mira Aurelia Eskelinen, led by Sara Arumetsa and Paul Joosep Vahtra
In the spring of 2023, the book “Aavistus” (“Aimdus”) by Finnish artist Mira Aurelia Eskelinen was published, discussing contemporary gender transition in Finland. Selected excerpts from the book, translated by Mona Tärg, will be featured in Feministeerium and Värske Rõhk. Mira Aurelia Eskelinen will discuss her life, art, and the book at Heldeke! bar, with Sara Arumetsa, a junior researcher at Tallinn University, and Paul Joosep Vahtra, the leader of the Estonian Trans People’s Association.
The conversation will be in English. This discussion is supported by the Finnish Institute in Estonia.
Saturday, November 4th – Tallinn day
Vabamu, Toompea 8b
11.30 Guided tour of the exhibition”From “Such People” to LGBT Activism” („„Niisugustest“ LGBT aktivismini”)
In June, an addition was made to the Vabamu permanent exhibition “Freedom Without Borders” covering the history of LGBT+ individuals from World War II to the present day. The curator of the new exhibit, Rebeka Põldsam, introduces a half-hour exhibition tour equipped with an audio guide.
The tour will be in Estonian.
13.00 “With or without dill. Recipes from Estonian Feminists”. Conversation with the authors 20 years later
In 2003, a feminist compilation titled “With Dill or Without. Recipes from Estonian Feminists” was published, which can be called the most powerful feminist manifesto in re-independent Estonia. Estonia had not officially joined the European Union yet, many political decision-makers were opposed to gender equality (law), and at the same time, a drug epidemic, an HIV epidemic, and human trafficking both in and out of Estonia had erupted. Drawing inspiration from Estonian and global feminists, seventeen authors began countering the prevailing chauvinistic cowboy capitalist culture with innovative ideas. What has changed over the course of 20 years? What has remained the same?
Participating: Mikko Lagerspetz, Mari-Liis Sepper, Lea Larin and Piret Räni. Moderated by Sanna Kartau.
The discussion will be in Estonian.
15.00 “Yes, no, and everything in between”. Workshop on sexual consent
How to express interest and desire, or conversely, reluctance towards sexual attention or activity? What is consent-based sexual culture and what hinders it? What kind of sexual revolution does today’s society need? Let’s discuss all these questions in the context of sexual consent.
The aim of the workshop is to create a safe and sex-positive environment for thinking about personal boundaries, debunking myths about sexual violence, and discussing how culture and legal frameworks influence attitudes towards sexual violence. Whether you’re hearing the term “sexual consent” for the first time or have been interested in this topic before, the workshop provides some foundational principles and an opportunity to delve into the nuances of consent.
The consent workshop is conducted by Elise Rohtmets and Jana Levitina from Feministeerium. Workshop language is Estonian. Duration 90 minutit.
Register here.
15.00 Guided tour of the exhibition “Escape the Kitchen! 150 years of Estonian Women’s Movements”(„Ahju tagant välja“)
The exhibition “Out from Behind the Stove!” presents the history of Estonian women’s movements over the past 150 years. In Estonian history, there have been powerful women who have contributed to building democracy, but their names have ungratefully been left out of the history books. Among them are the Kreenholm women who went on strike in 1872, women’s education and journalism advocate Lilli Suburg, politicians who shaped the interwar Estonia, Mari Raamot, and Minni Kurs-Olesk, filmmaker Leida Laius, architect Malle Meelak, and contemporary artist Anna-Stina Treumund. The exhibition emphasizes the importance of recognizing women’s achievements alongside the well-known male figures who are traditionally seen as historical giants.
16.30 Discussion group in cooperation with Pagulasabi “Everyday life: challenges and opportunities as experienced by women with refugee experience in Estonia”
In order to facilitate integration, which is a two-way process involving both (re)settled people and members of receiving societies, we need to lead with empathy and understanding. Hence, an insight into the little things, the everyday, could be an meaningful addition to the discussions held during TALFF.
The discussion will be in English.
At Kanuti Gildi SAAL
19.30 Tiina Sööt’s and Dorothea Zeyringer’s performance “Other Mother” (50 minutes)
Deconstructing found texts and images, Tiina Sööt and Dorothea Zeyringer assemble a collection of mothers who put themselves first; mothers who give too much; mothers who refuse motherhood; mothers who go to space; and mothers who are literally made of shit. This delicate and angry performance dares to speak up about issues like unpaid care work, reproductive injustices, biological concepts of maternal love, and the absence of fathers.
The performance is in English. Tickets are available online for 17/12€ here, on the spot for 20/15€.
At ankruSAAL (Põhjala Tehas)
21.00 Festival party with Pussy Jam
Pussy Jam Comedy is a stand-up collective based in Tallinn, Estonia, focused on platforming FLINTA* performers by hosting regular donation-based events, creating a space to promote the voices and experiences of women and gender minorities in comedy. There will be an option to donate to the collective, either via cash or card.
*female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, transgender, agender
Sunday, November 5th – Tartu day
Genialistide Klubi, Magasini 5
12.00 Men and Gender Equality
In discussions about gender equality and justice, the focus is often on women’s and minority rights because existing laws tend to favor men. However, gender inequality is not a foreign experience for men. What are the challenges for men in shaping a more equal society?
This conversation is led by Tarmo Jüristo, the leader of the SA Liberaalse Kodaniku platform, which focuses on political intervention based on big data collection and analysis, and Christian Veske, the Commissioner for Gender Equality and Equal Treatment. The discussion is moderated by Jens Jaanimägi, the head of the political youth movement Progressive Movement.
The conversation is in Estonian.
14.00 “Yes, no, and everything in between”. Workshop on sexual consent
How to express interest and desire, or conversely, reluctance towards sexual attention or activity? What is consent-based sexual culture and what hinders it? What kind of sexual revolution does today’s society need? Let’s discuss all these questions in the context of sexual consent.
The aim of the workshop is to create a safe and sex-positive environment for thinking about personal boundaries, debunking myths about sexual violence, and discussing how culture and legal frameworks influence attitudes towards sexual violence. Whether you’re hearing the term “sexual consent” for the first time or have been interested in this topic before, the workshop provides some foundational principles and an opportunity to delve into the nuances of consent.
The consent workshop is conducted by Aet Kuusik and Jana Levitina from Feministeerium. Workshop language is English. Duration 90 minutit.
Register here.
16.00 Literary Club “Ellips” open stage for queer creative works
Hebo Rahman and Saara Lotta Linno, the seniors of Literary Club Ellips love creativity and everything queer. That’s why they have decided to organise a super queer and extremely creative night. Poetry, songs, perchance a Dream. Line-up: Joosep Vesselov, Lee Jenner, Päiv Dengo, Martha Rattus, Susanna Mett and e.g.s.
Night ends with Open Mic. Fill this form to sign up. Performances in languages other than Estonian are very welcome.
18.00 Tiina Sööt’s and Dorothea Zeyringer’s performance “Other Mother” (50 minutes, tickets available at Fienta)
Deconstructing found texts and images, Tiina Sööt and Dorothea Zeyringer assemble a collection of mothers who put themselves first; mothers who give too much; mothers who refuse motherhood; mothers who go to space; and mothers who are literally made of shit. This delicate and angry performance dares to speak up about issues like unpaid care work, reproductive injustices, biological concepts of maternal love, and the absence of fathers.
The performance is in English. Tickets are available online for 17/12€ here, on the spot for 20/15€.
TALFF is organised thanks to the Strategic Partnership Programme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.