As an annual rendezvous for those working on a sustainable future, this latest Ecopolis starts out from the question ‘what can we do about the current ecological challenge, and by what means?’

The French philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy has pronounced ideas on art and culture. This talk focuses on the status of art as such, on art as representation, concrete phenomena in works of art and how the spectator views them. He engages in conversation with Ignaas Devisch, professor in Ethics, Philosophy and Medical Philosophy at Ghent University.

Imminent climatological, political and ideological tipping points raise the question: are we literally ‘falling out of history’? Philosopher/activist Lieven De Cauter talks with philosopher Isabelle Stengers.

The philosopher, teacher and columnist Tinneke Beeckman sheds light on Albert Camus’ play Caligula. Perversion, cruelty and megalomania: the perfect starting point for a reflection on power in all its forms.

Politics and religion have lost their credibility and parents are losing control of their children. According to Paul Verhaeghe, we are at a turning point in history. The patriarchal form of authority – which has for centuries determined everything, both public and private – is finished. In Authority, his latest book, Verhaeghe examines how we reached this point.

How do the dead get us moving? These and other questions raised by the philosopher Vinciane Despret (ULG, ULB) resonate in The Parliament of Invisibles. On the occasion of this performance, Despret talks about the relationship between the dead and the living and how they are an inexhaustible source of stories and art. Despret’s book, Au bonheur des morts. Récits de ceux qui restent, will be published in September.

In his book Met alle geweld: Een filosofische zoektocht (2008), the Dutch philosopher Hans Achterhuis tried to understand violence in all its forms. In this talk he reviews that analysis in the light of the extreme violence of recent times. Subsequently, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Music Fund. A debate must shed light on the impact of music on violence and social discrimination.

The Kaaitheater is playing host to the fourth session of The Green Book. Writers, academics and thinkers from Belgium and abroad meet to debate the transition to a socio-ecological society. The programme also includes interventions by theatre-makers. In the foyer you will find a choice selection of books and publications on ecological subjects.

Burning Ice - The right to food is a fundamental human right, yet more than 800 million people still suffer from hunger, that’s about 15% of the world’s population. Olivier De Schutter is a special observer on food for the United Nations. In his talk he will look in greater depth at the most important features of a balanced global food system.

WoWmen! - Choreographer Anne Juren and director Annie Dorsen collaborate on Magical, a solo dance piece performed by Juren, which uses the canon of feminist performance art and the rituals of a magic show. In the process they themselves become the object of a manipulation. Is Magical performance, magic, pornography or something completely different?