Together with exciting speakers, the Elevate Festival sheds light on some of the latest social, political and technological developments and presents inspiring projects and initiatives. As a part of the festival-cooperation We Are Europe, the program focuses on the far-reaching transformations currently taking place in Europe. 

Which alternatives to the EU´s border-, asylum- and economic policy exist or could be developed? How can the rise of the extreme right be confronted? What can political activism achieve - e.g. in the fields of internet policy, media and socio-ecological transformation? We search for answers and present new ideas for a profound democratization of Europe. 

How do new technologies such as Blockchain influence the opportunities for the distribution of artistic creations? Can there be Fair Trade Music? Artists as entrepreneurs, or an unconditional basic income for all? Which role did artists play during Arab Spring and thereafter? These questions will be debated together with our partner-festivals c/o Pop from Cologne, European Lab from Lyon and Resonate from Belgrade.

Participants include leading WikiLeaks member and Julian Assange´s closest advisor Sarah Harrison, philosopher and co-founder of DiEM25 Srećko Horvat, french filmmaker Hind Meddeb and professor emeritus of European Politics Birgit Mahnkopf. They share the stage with local critical thinkers such as current member of the European parliament Michel Reimon, journalists Ingrid Brodnig and Hanna Herbst as well as filmmaker Friedrich Moser, executive director of the Working Group on Data Retention Austria Thomas Lohninger, and many more.

Check out the We Are Europe festival cooperation initative by clicking on the logo below!

Thursday 20.10.
Friday 21.10.
Saturday 22.10.
Sunday 23.10.