Queer History Perspectives in Lithuania: Presentations and Discussion + Screening of the Film “Neirud”

Designer Mindaugas Gavrilovas (Studio Cryo)

On the 22nd of November we invite you to the Cinematheque (A. Gostautas St. 2) where the “išgir̃stì” Queer Archive, Vilnius Queer Festival “Kreivės” and “Meno Avilys” are organizing a two-part event.

PROGRAMME

16:00 QUEER HISTORY PERSPECTIVES IN LITHUANIA: PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION

“išgir̃sti” Queer Archive invites you to discuss the research, reclamation, and preservation of queer history in Lithuania. What is already known about the Lithuanian queer history? What has already been accomplished in researching it? What is still missing? What would we like to learn? What could the future of this research look like?

The event will feature the following speakers, who will share their experiences and perspectives:

° Artūras Tereškinas, sociologist, writer, cultural critic, professor at Vytautas Magnus University (VDU),

° Rasa Navickaitė, PhD in Gender studies, lecturer and researcher at Vilnius University (VU),

° Tomas Vaiseta, writer, historian, lecturer at Vilnius University (VU).

The discussion following the presentations will be moderated by the curators of the “išgir̃sti” Queer Archive, Augustas Čičelis and Viktorija Kolbešnikova.

18:00 – 18:30 BREAK

18:30 SCREENING OF THE FILM “NEIRUD”

“Neirud”, dir. Fernanda Faya, 2023 | Brazil | 72 min | Portuguese, English and Lithuanian subtitles

The death of Neirud was surrounded by mystery and left no traces of her past. Confronted with family secrets, director Fernanda Faya unravels the life of her enigmatic aunt, who toured Brazil as a wrestler in an underground women’s circus troupe all throughout the 1960s and up to the 1980s. While researching the controversial ring persona of Neirud, the “Woman-Gorilla,” the director uncovers an extraordinary story about race, identity, and queer life.

Fernanda Faya is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and educator, born and raised in São Paulo, and currently living in Queens, New York. Her debut film “ONE FOR THE ROAD” premiered at the DOC NYC Film Festival and has been screened at festivals around the world.

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Register here: https://forms.gle/8hsMYVKhdTS11kSk8

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“išgir̃sti” is a space for queer social and cultural action. Our areas of focus include queer culture, archiving, and psychosocial well-being. Through cultural and social initiatives, we create safe spaces where the community can express itself and find its voice, which could also be heard by the broader society. We value the expression, visibility, and acceptance of the queer community within the broader context of human rights, social justice, and ecology.

Vilnius Queer Festival “Kreivės” is a cultural and social initiative. Since 2014, through queer cultural events such as film screenings, readings, exhibitions, and parties, we have been creating a space for meetings, self-expression, and change. The festival is organized by “išgir̃sti”, following previous practices and collaborating with other queer organizations, activists, and artists.

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The event is free of charge. The discussion will be held in Lithuanian, the film will be screened in Portuguese with Lithuanian and English subtitles. This event is part of the Meno Avilys’ Cinematheque event series, curated by Ona Kotryna Dikavičiūtė and Gerda Paliušytė.

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Organizers: “Meno Avilys”, „išgir̃sti“, Vilnius Queer Festival “Kreivės”
Sponsors: Lithuanian Council for Culture, Vilnius City Municipality, Lithuanian Film Centre