‘A new mythology: what if Europa asks Zeus out’

The cultural sector has been regarded as a sphere in which critique and alternative ways of collaboration are possible. Often, cooperative work-practices are associated with a feminine stance. We want to explore the extent to which this belief reflects the reality of the cultural sector and if enhanced female participation can inspire a peaceful, democratic change at a broader European level.

Bel Olid translates, writes, teaches and reads. She has translated over 50 books into Catalan and Spanish and, since 1999, has subtitled over 200 films. As a narrative writer she has published the novel Una terra solitària (Empúries, 2011), awarded the Documenta Prize for Narrative, the short story collection La mala reputació (Proa, 2012), awarded the Roc Boronat Prize for Narrative, and Crida ben fort, Estela! (Fineo, 2009), awarded the Qwerty Prize for the Best Children’s Book of the Year. Her writing focuses on everyday violence, the difficulties people have in connecting with one another and the strangeness of life. Bel Olid is president of the AELC (Association of Writers in Catalan).

Bridget Conor is a senior lecturer in the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries at King's College London with interests in cultural work and gender inequalities in cultural production. She is the author of Screenwriting: Creative Labour and Professional Practice (Routledge 2014) and the co-editor of two recent collections, Gender and Creative Labour (with Rosalind Gill and Stephanie Taylor) and Production Studies the Sequel! (with Miranda Banks and Vicki Mayer).

Xenia Kalpaktsoglou is an Athens-based curator and writer. In 2005, together with artist Poka-Yio and art critic Augustine Zenakos, she founded the Athens Biennale, which she co-directed until July 2016. During this time she (co-)curated 2 editions (Destroy Athens, 2007 and MONODROME, 2011). Her curatorial practice has evolved to focus on two primary functions: that of an initiator of artistic platforms and networks and that of a facilitator of artists’ projects. Her process is deeply rooted in collaborations; sustainability, artistic and curatorial practices also feature strongly. She has curated solo and group exhibitions of Greek and foreign artists in Greece and aboard and has put forward the names of several Greek artists to participate in international exhibitions. She was the director of the DESTE Foundation, Contemporary Art Centre between 2006 and 2008. She has been a member of the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art (IKT) since 2008.

Mathias Terheggen is a global expert on corporate and private philanthropy. He brings over a decade of hands-on experience in addressing social and environmental challenges at a tactical and strategic level to his work as Managing Director of the EDGE Certified Foundation. A physicist by education he build his professional focus on social sector topics during his work at McKinsey & Company, through his role as Global Head Philanthropy Services at UBS and as COO of the Asia Philanthropy Circle in Singapore. He serves several social enterprises and foundations as advisor, board member and active shareholder and regularly publishes and speaks on various aspects of philanthropy. Supporting for- and non-profits including many large corporations has shown him the private sector’s ability to achieve systemic change. And addressing various social and environmental issues has convinced him of the catalytic role of gender equality for prosperous, just and sustainable societies - a view his daughters and partner certainly share.

Liliana Rodrigues is an MEP, professor and researcher. She has published widely in the field of education and is part of the UMa / FCT Research Center. Her work as an MEP is centered on gender equality, culture, education and regional development.