Where: Kulturhuset, Youngs gate 6, Oslo

South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 is considered one of the most progressive ever written. It includes a ban on discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and protects the rights of people regarding sexual orientation. South Africa is also a country in which plenty of musicians and public figures are openly gay. The legal framework is set. The public visibility is prominent and constantly increasing. Yet, the LGBTI+ community in South Africa faces a set of discriminatory practices: Violence, harassment, intimidation and hate crimes are common.

Artists like Zanele Muholi, Nakhane and FAKA are among the voices actively leading the charge for substantial change. A change that should include all queer identities, regardless of disabilities, race and wealth. This seminar will highlight the case of South Africa and connect it to the situation in Norway. Even though the countries are 14 000 kilometers away from each other, they could have more in common than what meets the eye. The seminar will be a celebration of a marginalized community through art. It will emphasize an African way of re-imagining Africa, which considers queerness and includes non-binary representations of sexuality and identity. 

PANEL: 
FAKA (ZA) is a cultural movement established by Fela Gucci and Desire Marea. The artists explore a combination of mediums ranging from sound, live performance, literature, video and photography, to create an eclectic aesthetic with which they express their ideas about themes central to their experience as black queer bodies navigating the cis-hetero-patriarchy in post-colonial Africa. 
FAKA is also a part of Oslo World & Jozi Nights: Mzansi Pride. 

Nakhane Touré (ZA) is an LGBTQ trailblazer with a startling voice, in more ways than one. His second album, You Will Not Die, documents a turbulent adolescence spent wrestling with sexuality and Christianity. He is also an actor, appearing in the film The Wound, portraying a homosexual Xhosa couple. 
Nakhane is also a part of Oslo World & Jozi Nights: Mzansi Pride.

Moonchild Sanelly (ZA) is a rising star in the South African music scene, with her original take on gqom, rap and house. She has said herself that one of her missions as an artist is to establish sexual liberation for women in South Africa, who she claims are often shamed and targeted by men for free expression. Moonchild Sanelly is also a part of Oslo World & Jozi Nights: Mzansi Pride. 

Moeisha Ali Aden (SO/DN) is a muslim and trans performative artist, interpreter and lecturer, especially known for her monologues on topics related to gender, sexuality, race and religion. She is also active in Sabaah, a Danish organization supporting minority ethnic LGBT+ people in Denmark. 

Ahmed Umar (SO/NO) is a multidisciplinary artist working with ceramics, jewelry, performance and printmaking. His exhibition "Carriying the face of ugliness" will be shown at Kunstplass, et visningssted for samtidskunstthroughout the festival.

Susanne Demou Øvergaard is the director of the Norwegian organization Skeiv verden/Queer World. 

In collaboration with: Kunstplass, et visningssted for samtidskunst, Skeiv Verden, Balansekunst, Oslo Pride, Fellesrådet for Afrika - Norwegian Council for Africa.

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This event is open to all and free of charge.