New World Embassy: Rojava
The New World Embassy: Rojava is a temporary embassy installed in the Oslo City Hall that represents, through cultural means, the ideals of “stateless democracy” developed by the Democratic Self-Administration of the autonomous region of Rojava, northern Syria. The Embassy consists of a large-scale oval-shaped architectural structure, designed as an “ideological planetarium.”
The Embassy operates for two consecutive days, bringing representatives from Rojava together with international politicians, diplomats, academics, journalists, students, artists, and more. Through open deliberation and public discussion the New World Embassy: Rojava proposes a platform to build new transnational relationships and explore alternative models of people’s diplomacy.
The New World Embassy: Rojava is a collaboration between the Democratic Self-Administration of Rojava and Studio Jonas Staal. The project is part of the Oslo Architecture Triennale 2016, After Belonging: A Triennale In Residence, On Residence and the Ways We Stay in Transit, and it is financed and co-produced by KORO – Public Art Norway / URO.
After Belonging: A Triennale In Residence, On Residence and the Ways We Stay in Transit is curated by Lluís A. Casanovas Blanco, Ignacio G. Galán, Carlos Mínguez Carrasco, Alejandra Navarrete Llopis, and Marina Otero Verzier.
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Program
The two-day public program offers debates and conversations with local and international experts centered around four topics departing from the ideals and achievements of the Rojava revolution.
Saturday, November 26, 1–7pm
From History & Politics to Culture & Self-determination
The first day of the New World Embassy: Rojava is dedicated to the history and politics of the Rojava revolution, the concept of stateless democracy, and the role of culture in self-determination.
1pm Welcome and introduction
Marianne Borgen (Mayor of Oslo)
Refik Gefur and Seher Aydar (Kurdish Communities of Oslo)
Jonas Staal (artist and founder of the New World Summit)
1:40pm Keynote
Sînam Mohammed (Democratic Self-Administration of Rojava)
2:05pm Short break
2:15pm Panel I—History & Politics
Chaired by Joost Jongerden (University of Wageningen)
Sînam Mohammed
Kariane Westrheim (University of Bergen)
Macer Gifford (People’s Protection Units, YPG)
3:20pm Response
Eulàlia Reguant i Cura (Popular Unity Candidacy, CUP)
3:30pm Break
4:30pm Welcome
Refik Gefur and Seher Aydar
Marina Otero Verzier (After Belonging Agency)
4:50pm Keynote
Aldar Xalîl (Movement for a Democratic Society, Tev-Dem)
5:15pm Short break
5:25pm Panel II—Culture & Self-Determination
Chaired by Maria Hlavajova (BAK, basis voor actuele kunst Utrecht)
Aldar Xalîl
Moussa Ag Assarid (Free Azawad)
Shela Sheikh (Goldsmiths, University of London)
Laura Raicovich (Queens Museum)
6:50pm Response
Baluchistan People’s Party
7pm Conclusion
Sunday, November 27, 1–7pm
“Conflict & Diplomacy” to “Solidarity & Transdemocracy”
The second day of the New World Embassy: Rojava is dedicated to understanding the conflict in Rojava and Syria, exploring alternative models of stateless diplomacy, and building transdemocratic solidarity and collaboration between emancipatory movements worldwide.
1pm Welcome
Refik Gefur and Seher Aydar (Kurdish Communities of Oslo)
Hanna Dencik Petersson (Oslo Architecture Triennale)
Introduction Jonas Staal (artist and founder of the New World Summit)
1:30pm Keynote
Asya Abdullah (Co-Chair Democratic Union Party, PYD)
1:55pm Short break
2:05pm Panel III—Conflict & Diplomacy
Chaired by Radha D’Souza (University of Westminster)
Asya Abdullah
Hanne Sophie Greve (Judge at the Gulating High Court of Western Norway)
Runar Myrnes Balto (Sámi Parliament)
Sana Soleman Elmansouri (World Amazigh Congress)
3:20pm Response
Natalie McGarry (MP Westminster Parliament for Glasgow East)
3:30pm Break
4:30pm Welcome
KORO Public Art Norway, URO
4:45pm Keynote
Salih Muslim (Co-Chair Democratic Union Party, PYD)
5:10pm Short break
5:20pm Panel IV—Solidarity & Transdemocracy
Chaired by Radha D’Souza (University of Westminster)
Salih Muslim
Katerin Mendez (Feminist Initiative!)
Kate Shae Baird (Barcelona en Comú)
Despina Koutsoumpa (ANTARSYA)
Lorenzo Marsili (DiEM25/ European Alternatives)
7pm Closing words
Refik Gefur and Seher Aydar
