Get ready to dive into a profoundly impactful journey, where powerful ideas take center stage, shaping the future of feminism at the vibrant and empowering Anstimmen festival. Taking place in Kiel and online from July 10th to July 16th, 2023, this festival will unite a diverse array of artists, activists, and thinkers to celebrate and amplify the resounding voices of feminism.

The Anstimmen festival, organized by The Zwischenfunken collective, a dynamic and passionate group based in Kiel, is back for its thrilling third edition. Since their founding in October 2020, this youthful political group has been actively engaged in various feminist initiatives and activities. With two successful editions under their belt, they are ready to bring you another unforgettable festival experience this year.

“We want to give those marginalized groups (LGBTQIA+) not only a voice but room to inform themselves, to connect, to speak, to find help and support. The involvement and enlightenment of affected people is an important part of equal rights and the mutual understanding of all people, and is therefore an important part of our work“, – say the organizers on their website.

The festival presents an exciting program with a diverse range of lectures, thought-provoking discussions, immersive workshops, and more. Delve into captivating topics including sexuality, body positivity, family dynamics, racism, climate justice, disability rights, masculinity, and queerness, engaging in meaningful conversations that offer valuable insights. This festival will help you to discover new perspectives while connecting with others who share your passion for these important subjects, whether you choose to attend in person or participate virtually.

Monday, July 10th’s schedule:

  • 11:00-15:00 Leo’s and Be’s workshop in German at Westufer, emphasizes awareness and a discrimination sensitive attitude in feminist work. The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a basic understanding of awareness, concrete strategies to address discrimination, and the use of violence. Alongside theoretical discussions, practical exercises will be included to facilitate the application of learned concepts.

Tuesday, July 11th’s schedule:

  • 12:00-14:00 Keniya’s (EmBIPoC) workshop in German at ALTE MU that focuses on cultivating a critical perspective on racism and promoting increased awareness.
  • 14:00-17:00 Maike Jebasinski’s lecture in German via Zoom, providing practical advice and strategies to empower women economically and combat discrimination in the patriarchal system. The lecture aims to address the institutionalized gender inequalities in achieving economic independence.
  • 14:00-18:00 Esther’s and Shery’s workshop in German (potentially in the Persian language as well) at Coworkhaus Anscharcampus. The workshop will explore the feminist revolution in Iran, specifically targeting individuals interested in understanding the revolution’s background and seeking to engage with its intricacies.
  • 17:00-19:00 SchwarzRund’s poetry reading in German via Zoom. SchwazRund will present poems that challenge the pressure to constantly justify one’s existence in a white, heterosexual world.
  • 18:30-20:00 A self-assertion course specifically for WILAT* (Women, Intersex, Lesbian, Agender, Trans) in German at Fit & Fight Kiel. This course aims to empower and strengthen participants by providing techniques for self-assertion.
  • 19:00-21:00 Dr. Francis Seeck’s lecture in German via Zoom, exploring how discrimination based on class origin and class affiliation plays a fundamental role in shaping our society.
  • 20:00-22:00 Nils Raupach’s (PETZE) lecture and discussion in German at ALTE MU. The session will center around the topic of sexualized violence and its intersection with the right-wing scene.

Wednesday, July 12th’s schedule:

  • 12:00-14:00 Keniya’s (EmBIPoC) workshop in German at ALTE MU that focuses on addressing racism in schools. The workshop combines informative sessions, collaborative action planning, and empowerment strategies. While open to all, teachers are especially encouraged to participate due to their crucial role in addressing this issue responsibly.
  • 13:00-16:00 Nene Opoku’s (Black Earth Kollektiv) workshop in German via Zoom. The workshop will explore connections between colonialism, racism, and the climate crisis from a critical and decolonial perspective. Participants will gain essential knowledge about the concept of climate justice.
  • 13:00-17:00 Alexander Hahne’s workshop exclusively for WILAT* individuals in German and English at Coworkhaus Anscharcampus. The workshop focuses on exploring how WILAT* individuals navigate their desires and sensuality. Through guided body awareness methods, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their connection with their own bodies.
  • 14:30-16:30 Esther-Sophie Wehrhahn’s (PETZE) workshop in German at ALTE MU. The workshop delves into the topic of how sexualized violence originates from sexism and explores how young people can respond to it. Additionally, the workshop covers the concept of value-based media literacy and provides recommendations for action.
  • 16:30-18:30 Debora Antmann’s self-care workshop exclusively for Jews in German via Zoom, exploring self-care rituals within Jewish traditions. Participants will adapt and integrate these practices into their daily lives, creating personalized concepts of self-care rooted in their own Judaism.
  • 17:00-19:00 Verena Wenzler’s and Runa Lück’s (PIA – Pro Familia in Action) lecture and consent workshop in German at ALTE MU, exploring consensus. They will define and classify consensus in current discourses, provide guided self-reflection, and facilitate a moderated discussion on recognizing boundaries and promoting informed consent.

Thursday, July 13th’s schedule:

  • 10:00-13:30 Judith’s and Kathi’s (HateAid) workshop in German at ALTE MU, focusing on digital violence against WILAT* individuals. The workshop will cover preventive measures, available options for action in acute situations, and legal considerations.
  • 10:00-16:00 Julia’s (@wirmuesstenmalreden) workshop in German via Zoom. The workshop focuses on exploring anti-indigenous racism in Germany through interactive discussions and activities.
  • 13:00-17:00 Ruby Rebelde’s workshop in German at Die Pumpe that delves into the reality of discrimination faced by sex workers in the context of anti-feminist and anti-democratic attacks. The workshop aims to create a space for participants to examine their own assumptions and thought patterns regarding sex workers, without taking a position for or against sex work.
  • 15:30-18:00 Lava Kwahish’s, Rudan Chranje’s, and Bahahara Khosravan’s (RAUM3) multilingual panel discussion in German, Arabic, Persian, and English at ALTE MU. The discussion will focus on migrant perspectives on feminism, providing a space to explore topics such as exclusions, incuding anti-Muslim racism and discomfort with the term feminism. The panel will also delve into solutions and alternative approaches, such as Islamic feminism.
  • 16:00-21:00 Marlot’s, Linadontkray’s, and Asoka’s DJ workshop exclusively for WILAT* individuals in German at Luna Club. This workshop provides a platform for participants to gain their first practical knowledge of DJing, ask questions, and have their initial experiences with the technology.
  • 16:30-20:30 Embreast Yourself’s workshop in German (Spanish, Russian, and English options available as well) at Die Pumpe exclusively for WILAT*. The breast art workshop invites participants to engage in an artistic and creative process centered around the theme of breasts. In this workshop, everyone is encouraged to participate shirtless, fostering a space of exploration and self-expression.
  • 17:00-19:00 Dödel’s (Hochschulgruppe CAU) workshop in German at Coworkhaus Anscharcampus, focusing on open discussions about various topics related to masculinity.
  • 17:00-19:30 FEM*MED’s and ProFamilia’s short film screening and discussion in German at Coworkhaus Anscharcampus. The event will showcase the short-film “We Alone“ by Quinn Hussman and FEM*MED Kiel, which explores diverse abortion experiences. Participants can join the exchange and discussion session facilitated by ProFamilia Kiel.
  • 19:00-20:30 A self-assertion course exclusively for WILAT* in German at Fit & Fight Kiel. This course provides an opportunity to explore martial arts, learn exercises and techniques from various disciplines, and experience your self-efficacy and physical limits.

Friday, July 14th’s schedule:

  • 10:00-12:00 Women in Exile will be hosting an English workshop via Zoom focusing on Women, Asylum, and Solidarity.
  • 14:00-18:00 Ulla Scharfenberg’s workshop in German at Coworkhaus Anscharcampus. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to create a magazine focused on the topic of (chosen) families. The magazine will serve as a platform for you to record your thoughts and insights on the subject, allowing for creative expression and personal reflection.
  • 14:00-21:00 Maria Moschus’ drag workshop in English and German at ALTE MU. The workshop is open to anyone interested in exploring and challenging traditional gender categories.
  • 16:30-18:30 Vina Yun’s comic reading in German via Zoom, exploring “Homestories: (post)migrant Korean-Austrian history“.
  • 19:00-21:30 Sascha Thierry Esequiyl Rubel’s lecture in German at ALTE MU, exploring why non-binary individuals often remain unseen in society. The lecture examines the historical relationship between the binary gender order, oppression, and patriarchy.

Saturday, July 15th’s schedule:

  • 12:30-15:30 Clara Boeck’s workshop in German via Zoom, focusing on the conditions and structures underlying climate injustice. The workshop emphasizes practical implementation and encourages active participation within personal resources and limits.
  • 13:00-22:00 Music acts, skateboarding, graffiti, bicycle self-help and more at Skatepark Gaarden.

Sunday, July 16th’s schedule:

  • 14:00-16:00 Andrea Corrina Schöne’s, Judith Hohn’s, Sascha Seidl’s, and Sabrina Lorenz’s discussion panel in German via Zoom. The panel aims to shed light on the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities, with the goal of strengthening solidarity alliances and promoting true inclusivity.
  • 16:00-18:00 Mira Zounogo’s jam session exclusively for WILAT* individuals in German at ALTE MU.
  • 18:00-20:00 Andrea Corinna Schöne’s reading in German via Zoom, exploring disability hostility and ableism. The session addresses discriminatory experiences of individuals with disabilities, chronic and mental illnesses. It examines societal evaluation of abilities and norms of “normality“. Gain insights into ableistic phenomena and discover ways to improve understanding and practices.

Attending the festival is absolutely free of charge. However, make sure to secure your spot during the registration period, which runs from the 19th of June to 2nd of July. If you are looking for additional information, visit their website or check out their Instagram. You can find the program in German here.