WHAT IS THE SYMBIOCENE ?

In our industrialized world, there is a vital need for a new generation of humans working towards reintegrating human culture with the rest of life. This is the mission of Generation Symbiocene. So how does one enter the Symbiocene? By building a strong emotional connection with the Earth - much like a loving relationship - and acting accordingly.

The humans who live in the Symbiocene choose to leave no trace of their activity on the planet, everything they do is assimilated into the Earth’s systems. They develop a symbiotic intelligence, meaning they observe and replicate elements of symbiosis found in nature. In this way, they imagine new forms of habitat using symbiotic materials such as mycelium bricks. They enrich their knowledge of health, working with medicinal plants and the emotional connection between species in order to heal both body and mind equally. They replace plastic with cellulose-based materials, enhance permaculture and biodynamic farming practices, and keep on experimenting with ideas based on symbiotic thinking. Contrary to the gigantism of the Anthropocene, the societies of the Symbiocene are organized locally, regionally. In these societies, there are no marginalized groups, naturalcultural diversity is celebrated in all its forms.

WHAT IS GEN (S) ?

What brings us together is our relationship of love with the Earth and our willingness to explore better ways to live together.
Bit by bit, we grow stronger.

We hope to be the spark igniting a global movement, with hundreds and thousands of people working to reactivate the symbiotic links that were cut off across the Earth during the Anthropocene. This could be done in different ways: through science, education, architecture, economy, agriculture, politics, and many more disciplines. We chose to start by repairing the emotional connection between humans and nature with art and culture. Gen (S) experiments with ways to raise ecological awareness through artistic tools, working with our emotions to create connections and bridges between the human and the other-than-human.

GEN (S) TEAM

In Athens, the launch of Generation Symbiocene is being organized by four young sumbiophiles, with the goal to make Gen (S) an autonomous and self-organized symbiotic community.

Marc grew up near an Oak tree he deeply loves. He started working in the cultural field when he realized people in power on this planet will do NOTHING to stop the ongoing ecological collapse. He believes in the power of art to generate emotions and shift the way humans relate to nature. For him, the Symbiocene is the kind of story that can inspire naturecultures of care and help change the world.

Alexandra's first memorable contact with the arts was as a teenager during her drawing classes at school: she had to sketch her relationship to nature. Those sketches functioned as a starting point - she felt emotionally connected to her roots! Later on she started working in the field of architecture and culture, researching new perspectives in order to transform barriers into connections in the way people relate to the world.

Pauline is a wannabe forest witch who, though, fell in love with Athenian rooftops, which I have been drawing, painting and capturing since 2015. In the daylight, my main goal is to check the boxes of my infinite to-do list, run from one place to another and answer emails : the cultural manager camouflage. In the shadow of urban nights, the angry intersectionnal feminist rises like a phoenix out of the ashes of too numerous cigarettes, and then the world is clay and we are the sculptors.

Myriam is a little drop of water in the ocean looking for other drops to make a mighty wave of change in our relationship to the world! As a professional graphic & motion designer, she is particularly interested in the visual translation of new ways of thinking.

COLLABORATIONS

generation symbiocene is being implemented in the frame of start - create cultural change, a program of the robert bosch stiftung, conducted in cooperation with the goethe-institut thessaloniki and the german association of sociocultural centers, supported by the john s. latsis public benefit foundation and the bodossaki foundation.

SUMBIOGRAPHY

Do you remember places, animals and plants with whom you have shared a special bond in the past? People and experiences that have influenced the way you see nature and relate to it? We want to read about them!

We will be writing outside, so you can open up your senses to the natural setting around you and bring back memories of when you felt a connection with nature. Pick one and start writing about it!

The sumbiography workshop is an intimate moment, where ten people with different life experiences and perspectives gather to remember and share the story of their individual relationship with nature. It is a time of introspection and self-reflection, where you can free your positive and negative Earth emotions. Writing about them and sharing them with the group is a powerful way to feel at peace, more connected to your environment and to yourself.

This creative writing workshop will be led by Elias Adam, dramaturge & founder of Brutal Stories.

Note: The texts produced during the workshop might be exhibited in May - but only with the participant’s permission - along with other sumbiographies written in german by 10 women who participated in the first sumbiography workshop, led in Hamburg in October 2019.

WHO* / Anyone above the age of 14 willing to explore her/his relationship with nature! No previous writing experience needed. If you’re under 18, please ask your parent or legal guardian to complete and sign this Authorization Form and bring it with you! You won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE** / Center of the Earth, the outdoor center of environmental education of Organization Earth & Filopappou Hill

WHEN / Sunday 08 March 2020, 12:00-15:00 & Sunday 24 May 2020, 16.00 - 19.00.

HOW / If you want to spend two sunny afternoons in the park relaxing and writing, you can register for free at connect@generationsymbiocene.gr. Only 10 places available! You can get there from Stathmos Larisis or Attikis and hop on the A10 or B10, stopping at 1st Polykatoikion 1η ΠΟΛΥΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΩΝ).

CIRCLES OF SUMBIOSIS

Have you ever dreamed of being an explorer, discovering new lands and uncovering nature’s secrets? This is your chance! Put your boots on and come with us on a symbiotic scavenger hunt.

Mission 1: find all the animals and plants on the list. When you do, we’ll talk about these species and try to find out which ones share a relationship.

Mission 2: pick a friend, choose a pair sharing a symbiotic relationship and paint this together on circles made of natural fabric.

The reward: lots of joy in nature and a better understanding of the way ecosystems work!

This workshop aims at fostering emotional connection between children and the natural world, through observing, understanding and experiencing the concept of symbiosis. The activity will be led by Aggelina Kanellopoulou, an experienced environmental educator and the founder of The Bee Camp.

WHO* / Children aged from 9 to 12 years old in possesion of the following Authorization Form signed by a parent or a legual guardian, allowing both participation to the workshop and photo coverage.

WHERE** / The workshop is hosted at the Center of the Earth, the outdoor center of environmental education of Organization Earth, which is near Tritsis park (entrance Spirou Moustakli 23).

WHEN / Sunday 31 May 2020, 10:00-12:00.

HOW / There are only limited places available. Sign up here: connect@generationsymbiocene.gr with the full name and age of the participants. You can get there from Stathmos Larisis or Attikis and hop on the A10 or B10, stopping at 1st Polykatoikion (1η ΠΟΛΥΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΩΝ).

THE BIRD INSIDE YOU

Have you ever wondered “who” is your inner bird? Never? Well now is the time. Put on your emotional wings and come fly with us to meet our feathered friends!

During this journey, you will have the chance to watch birds closely while they live their best life in the park, which is a major stopping point for migration birds in the Attica peninsula! You will learn their names and hear their stories: What are their habits? Their personalities?

The tales of the birds are also the stories of their ecosystems, so be prepared to do some plant & tree observing on top of your bird watching! Are you ready to discover your inner bird?

Identifying with non-human living beings is a good exercise of symbiotic thinking, it helps you build intimate and caring relationships with nature. It also helps you know yourself better!

This program will be led by Stelios Pelasgos and Efstathia Sideri, members of the Environmental Education Program team of the Hellenic Ornithological Society.

WHO* / Children and adults curious about discovering their inner bird! If you’re under 18, please ask your parent or legal guardian to complete and sign this Authorization Form and bring it with you! You won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE** / The workshop will happen in Antonis Tritsis Park (entrance Spirou Moustakli 23, entrance Γ).

WHEN / Sunday 14 June, 2020 , 16:00- 19:00.

HOW / To spend your sunny Sunday walking in the park and listening to the birds, please complete this online registration form

SUMBIOPHONICS

Embark with us on an experimental sumbiophonic journey and become one with nature!

Music is known to stimulate the body and mind, freeing us up from anxiety and cultivating well-being. We believe it can also inspire symbiotic and positive Earth emotions! What if we combine percussions with the music of the trees and wind? The sound of our own body and voice with the singing of the birds? Do you want to try with us?

Come and make your whole body vibrate to the rhythms of nature through traditional instruments. You don’t need to be a musician- we can show you how to play in harmony and connect emotionally with others and the space around you. We’ll record this connection between the human and the other-than-human to produce a sumbiophonic sound bank.

The fruits of this experience will belong to all of us: feel free to make your own soundtrack or just keep the workshop records as a personal souvenir.

Workshop led by SELI KANOU, West African Dance & Music School & Company .

WHO* / Anyone above the age of 14 willing to jam with nature! If you’re under 18, please ask your parent or legal guardian to complete and sign this Authorization Form and bring it with you! You won’t be able to participate without it.

WHERE** / The workshop will happen in Antonis Tritsis Park (entrance Spirou Moustakli 23, entrance Γ). Feel free to bring a small percussion instrument if you have one!

WHEN / Sunday 21 June, 17.00 - 20.00.

HOW / There are only limited places available. Sign up here: connect@generationsymbiocene.gr with the full name and age of the participants. You can get there from Stathmos Larisis or Attikis and hop on the A10 or B10, stopping at 1st Polykatoikion (1η ΠΟΛΥΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΩΝ).

We share our home, the Earth, with millions of other species, yet we sometimes find it hard to understand our place in this vast web of life.

Even as a human being, we aren’t a single, individual self. There are more bacterial cells in your body than human ones - you are a community of organisms. You form a biological community with all the life forms you interact with during your life.

What does this say about your human identity? What if, through movement in nature, you could explore another way of being human? After all, we are made of the same substances as the rest of the living world. Ready to find your ecological self? Open your senses and let us guide you through experimental movements in nature. Then, set your body free. Follow your instinct and move. Connect.

Sumbiokinesis is the art of moving together in harmony with life: it is the sumbios in motion. This workshop is about emotionally connecting with the life forces inside and outside our body, using our physical forms as a tool to interact with others, the trees, the soil and the space itself.

This workshop will be led by Aria Boumpaki dance artist and choregrapher.

WHO* / Anyone who is curious to explore his.her ecological self and to dance in harmony with nature. The workshop will happen in greek but let us know if you would like the opportunity to do this workshop in english!

WHERE** / The natural space of your choice, no matter the city or country you live in!

WHEN / Saturday 13 June, 18:00-19:30.

HOW / You can register for free at: connect@generationsymbiocene.gr with your name and age, and we will send you the audio file you need for the workshop. On the day and hour of the event, know that individuals in different places will dance together with you!