Why do we need herstories? | discussion with Marta Frej, Sylwia Chutnik and Anna Dziewit-Meller

During the meeting, the interviewees will address the topic of herstories – stories about women who have been overlooked or marginalized in official historical narratives for centuries. Herstories are a way of reclaiming women’s voices, reminding them of their contributions to history, culture and society, as well as inspiring contemporary feminist movements. The discussion will not only be an opportunity to reflect on why it is so important to include women’s perspectives in stories about the past, but also an attempt to answer the question: how do we tell stories about a world that has passed considering women’s perspectives and restoring their rightful place in HIStory?

During the event there will be an opportunity to ask questions and participate in an open discussion with invited guests.

Sylwia Chutnik – Doctor of Humanities. Cultural studies scholar by education, graduate of Gender Studies at the UW. Writer, publicist, social activist and promoter of literature. Member of the Literary Union Association. Winner of the Polityka’s Passport Award, she has been involved in popularizing women’s history and culture for years. In her books she often takes up the subject of herstory and shows women’s fates in a historical and social context.

Anna Dziewit-Meller – journalist, writer, publisher. Graduate of the Jagiellonian University where she majored in political science. Associated for many years with the TVN station and Radio Zet. The author of many books,includingbestselling novels (“Disko”, “Mount Tajget”, “From One Luciper” and the latest, published in May 2024, the novel “Juno”) and a popular series of children’s books “Damy, dziewuchy, dziewczyny”. Her journalistic work focuses on drawing attention to aspects of life that have so far been overlooked in the traditional historical narrative.

Marta Frej – visual artist, feminist, known for her ironic and socially engaged works that directly reference herstory. Her memes and illustrations have become not only a voice in the fight for women’s rights, but also a form of artistic documentation of contemporary social issues. The WOAK will host her exhibition “I am strong because…”.

The event is held as part of the Festival of Forgotten Cultures: Female Builders. Herstories of Courageous Women co-financed by funds from the Local Government of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The event is part of the celebration of the Year of Brave Women.