The symposium provided a platform for exploring the various forms and ethics of listening – including active, deep, decolonial, generous, public, and poetic listening. The discussions delved into how these forms are intertwined with broader themes such as poetics, coloniality, gender, spectatorship, critique, and nonhuman worlds, reinforcing listening as a vital methodology for achieving political, ecological, and artistic equity.

At the symposium, the role of listening was examined not just as a cultural and pedagogical practice but also as a form of poetics and political action. The event addressed the diverse implications of listening and storytelling across different genders and ages, highlighting its significance in a world often dominated by new technologies and male-centric narratives. By focusing on listening as a key methodology, the symposium aimed to contribute to goals such as decolonization, democracy building, and mental health.

Through a series of lectures, performances, artist talks, and conversations, the symposium surveyed current artistic practices and research engaged in creating active forms of response. These discussions emphasized the importance of the receiver-speaker relationship, fostering a deeper understanding and connection with one another.

Our Director, Merve Çağlar, delivered a poignant speech that intertwined themes of art and generous listening. Connecting her background in contemporary arts to this concept, she discussed artworks by Erkan Özgen, Wael Shawky, Francis Alys, and Füsun Onur, illustrating how art opens our minds and hearts to different perspectives, emphasizing listening without prejudice.