Cultural appropriation – borrowing of cultural elements by one culture from another – can have a multitude of meanings worth investigating. It can be perceived differently by different individuals and communities depending on the context and the intention behind the act of borrowing.
We invite you to an event organized by 1st-year master students of Cultural Heritage Studies Program that would concentrate on the issues of cultural appropriation with the special focus on clothes and tradition. The aim is to create a platform for an open dialogue and provide an opportunity for a discussion on cultural appropriation: Is cultural appropriation always a bad thing? Can it be an act of appreciation? Can culture assets be claimed by particular communities?
You will have a chance to express or form your own opinion by participating in fun game activities, attending a thought-provoking visual pop-up show opened by a live performance, and taking part in a panel discussion led by external experts and members of CEU community.
Program
17.30 - 18.00 - Interactive game
18.00 - 18.30 - Visual pop-up show “Misuse or Appreciation?” opened with a live performance by Mihály Demeniv (accordion, Ferenc Liszt Music Academy)
18.30 - Panel discussion with Q&A1. Participants:
- Éva Zanin, cultural historian, CEU Gender Studies alumna. Her research is focused on the political appropriation of fashion and dress, the discourse analysis of cultural positionality and power relations. She works as a diversity and inclusion expert in the corporate sector.
- Emese Dobos, cultural industry - communication and media expert, working as a freelance journalist with publications in such editorials as Marie Claire HU, Divat & Marketing [Fashion & Marketing], hvg.hu - Economy and Business. Her main research interest is the study of social, legal and cultural factors behind fashion industry that might influence consumer habits.
- Promise Frank Ejiofor, CEU Political Science Master of Arts Candidate. He published an article on Cultural Appropriation, and his future plans are to pursue a career in anthropology, specializing in culture and related fields, following his recent admission to Cambridge University.
- Cynthia Ajovi, CEU Cultural Heritage Studies Master of Arts Candidate. Indigenous knowledge systems of different ethnic groups in Ghana has always fascinated her. She dedicated her research to their preservation, rooting in the study of the unique symbola of the Akan people of Ghana known as Adinkra.
- Daniel Anyim, CEU Cultural Heritage Studies Master of Arts Candidate. His research is centered around the interpretation and representation of the colonial heritage of Ghana through the use of new media. He identifies himself as cultural enthusiast.