“The role of art as a tool of protest, political commentary and community building” | debate | FONOMO

October 15, 2026, Thursday, 7:00 PM, Music Cafe Szpulka, free event

“The role of art as a tool of protest, political commentary and community building” | debate | FONOMO

Art always comments on reality in some way and reflects the time in which it is created. However, artistic involvement does not have to mean a direct political declaration or journalistic commentary. It can manifest itself through a way of acting, undermining accepted rules, creating alternative relationships or refusing to participate in a certain system.

The debate at Fonomo will be an attempt to answer questions about the limits of such engagement. Should art convince or rather ask uncomfortable questions? Does the artist have to take sides? In a polarized society, can art create a space for meeting and community building instead of another field of conflict?

The conversation will be attended by: Amirtha Kidambi — vocalist, composer and leader of Elder Ones, whose activity is strongly linked to activism; Krzysztof Nowicki — director, screenwriter, producer and director of the Przeźrocza Film Festival; Piotr Kikta — bookseller, musician and cultural animator, running an independent bookstore Toniebajebajebajebajec; and Arek Parazzyt — an artworker working at the intersection of socially engaged art, artivism and cultural animation.

Detailed Fonomo program:

www.fonomo.pl

COMFORT OF PARTICIPATION:

If you need a sign language interpreter or a guardian for a person with special needs during the event, we encourage you to contact the Equality and Social Innovation Section of the Splot Miejski Centrum Kultury w Bydgoszcz: tel. 52 32 55 545, e-mail: splot@mck-bydgoszcz.pl.