How do we build transnational solidarity in an era of rising policing, deportations, and the erosion of human rights?

Join us for an afternoon of political co-learning, community building, and creative resistance, with a focus on counter-narratives from diverse - particularly Eastern European - communities in the face of growing far-right ideologies.

WHEN: 28 September 2025 | 15:00 – late

WHERE: Pelican House, 144 Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E1 5QJ

Full programme and FAQ now available below!

Programme

For a PDF, downloadable version of programme, including timetable, descriptions and venue map, please head here.

Welcoming
by POMOC, Anca, Dana and Andreea | The Event Space, 3:30-4pm

Hear about the idea, meet people behind the festival activities and celebrate together.

Blueprints for Building Communities
by Lina and Laura  | The Courtyard, 3-5pm

An experimental cyanotype workshop where everyday dining objects become blueprints for togetherness and collective imagination.

Recipes for Everyday Resistance
by Ilinca, Gheorghe and Vera | The Courtyard, 4-6pm | Dinner 7:30pm-late

Join us throughout the afternoon as we prepare a communal feast to share at the end of the day. The dinner table will reflect the diversity and generosity of our communities, and invite conversations about food sharing and creating welcoming community spaces. Come lend a hand, bring your stories and ideas, and don’t forget to Bring Your Own Bread!
We invite you to bring something to contribute to the communal feast: an ingredient, condiment, pickle, preserve, dip, snack, even a handful of sunflower seeds. Starting from food sharing as a way of creating solidarity and welcoming community spaces, we'd also like to gather your stories, memories, anecdotes, reflections, calls for action and conversation recipes into a collective 'living cookbook'. We also encourage you to bring along jars or containers, so food can be shared more easily at the table and carried home to continue the feast beyond the gathering.

Community Resistance Against the Far-Right: Panel Discussion
by Simina and Andreea | The Event Space, 4-5pm

How can communities resist the far right and nurture resilience? Hear from speakers drawing on decades of struggle, sharing experiences of Roma rights, anti-fascist organising, and confronting Islamophobia.

With contributions from:
- Marija Enver (Roma Support Group) on the Roma rights movement and Roma Resistance Day.
- Riz Hussain (Institute of Race Relations) on the far right and Islamophobia.
- DViJKA collective, authors of Queer Ukraine, on queer anti-fascist resistance during wartime.

The session will conclude with a Q&A chaired by Simina Neagu and Andreea Tudose.

Staying Balanced in the Age of Algorithmic Spells
by Alexandra, Andrei, Irina, Maggie and Alessandra | The Event Space, 6:15-7:15pm

Sharing the stories and ways that our loved ones, friends and community are targeted, influenced and become victims of divisive disinformation via the new power of large scale digital algorithms and networks and how that impacts our everyday lives.
Sharing circle facilitated by Okhiogbe Omonblanks Omonhinmin.

The Archaeology of the Future
by David and Kate | 204A Classroom, 4:30-5:30pm and 6-7pm

What do your days look like in 2050? Where do you live? How do you relate to others, and how do they relate to you? In this collaborative workshop based on Vlad(a) Vazheyevskyy and Manuela Zechner's work, we'll use a series of prompts to explore our desired future. Then, we'll step into the shoes of future historians, wondering: how did this future come to be? What did it take to get there?
Please note: to respect the flow of the workshop, we ask that all participants arrive on time. Once the session begins, late entry will not be possible.

Somatic Support Space
by Elina and Joni | 204C: Guy Debord Room, 5:15-6:15pm

An embodiment workshop made to resource those engaged in activist work; a space to nourish the body, mind and spirit during these times of deep unrest. To feel, to release, to ground. We will be moving, breathing and speaking; no prior movement experience is necessary.
Please note: to respect the flow of the workshop, we ask that all participants arrive on time. Once the session begins, late entry will not be possible.

Live Music: 'ćmi sie'. It’s getting dark
by Ania Drewniok | The Event Space, 8pm

Ania Drewniok will sing some numbers from her debut EP 'ćmi sie' which explores the themes of night, darkness and dreams and how they connect to Ania's Silesian and Eastern European identities.

Q: I would love to attend, by I am a parent. Are kids welcome?
A: Yes! Kids are welcome in our spaces as they are parts of our lives. However, we ask parents to take care and full responsibility of their kids. There's no childcare provided during the event.

Q: Is Pelican House accessible?
A: Pelican House is an accessible space. Lots of activities will take part outdoors to minimise germ spread. The ground is paved, and the building has a lift and ramps making the event wheelchair accessible. We take accessibility seriously. For safety of our participants, we are encouraging mask use. We’ll have them on hand, as well as hand sanitiser. If you have specific disability needs, you can always reach out to us!

Q: Part of Eastern European culture is food sharing. Can I bring something with me for a community table?
A: We hear you! We encourage participants to bring snacks, ingredients for shared cooking session or prepared dishes for our community table. Let it be an afternoon of sharing in truly Eastern European spirit! If you decide on cooking or baking, could we please ask for a list of allergens or ingredients to be brought with your dish? Let's put community care as a priority!

Q: When could I learn more about the programme?
A: We are finalising the agenda so you can experience everything on the day! Please stay with us, we will share more very soon.