Through this series of online talks inspired by the concept “A Movement of Movements” emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s aims to explore the global network of movements that share a common goal of promoting social, racial, economic, and environmental justice across geographies. The conversations moderated by Bayr(y)am Bayr(y)amali aims to entangle the interconnected nature of movements and attempt a radical listening approach between organisers to share resources, methodologies and tactics to build a more just and anti-colonial world.
As Movement of Movements is characterised by a decentralised, non-hierarchical structure, and a focus on grassroots organising and direct action, these conversations are not designed on offering advice or solutions, but rather on providing a space for individuals to share their perspectives in order to resist oppressive systems and to build collective power.
As part of the protest group - BP or not BP? - Bayr(y)am has organized environmental movements to demand end of oil sponsorships in cultural organisations. Key value of the group addresses the possibility of creative performance and direct action as vital tools in the struggle for a better world. Through this speculative connectivity of movements and creating networks with other organisers, the series of talks is a creative and performative endeavour to co-create, co-facilitate and sustain solidarity across borders.
As the issue of fossil fuel sponsorship is deeply entwined with issues of colonialism, race, gender, wealth, class and other injustices, the selected presenters are not sorely working on themes of climate justice. However, as climate organising in the minority world has been defined by white-centred voices, solutions and tactics, these discussions have a purpose of radical listening, sharing and liaising with other movements, rather than creating siloed echo-chambers.
Elif Sarican is a writer, curator and translator.
She has lectured at a number of cultural institutions like Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste and universities across Europe and North America on topics of feminism, anthropology, politics and history.
Elif is the co-host of Pomegranate Podcast - a podcast bringing stories, histories and alternatives into conversations of the world today. She is currently curating a three-day feminist festival at HAU Hebbel am Ufer in Berlin. She tweets at @elifxeyal
Bayr(y)am Mustafa Bayr(y)amali is a London based (Bulgarian)Turkish visual researcher, programmer and organiser. His practice deals with issues of new world (b)orders, il/legal identities in the Balkans and beyond. He is an Education Manager at Magnum Photos - a photography co-operative - and co-runs the Old Mountain Assembly - a programming space for worlding and futuring a transitional and decolonial perspectives in Eastern Europe.
As an organiser, Bay(y)ram is part of the protest group BP or not BP? which aims to end oil sponsoring in cultural institutions and challenge the imperial condition of Western art galleries and museums through advocacy and boycott.