On October 16 at 17.00, philosopher Kasparas Pocius will explore the connection between jazz and politics in a lecture titled In Search of the Black Atlantis: Jazz, Africa, and the Process of Decolonization.

Although half a century has passed since the actual collapse of the colonial system, the empires of the past persist in today’s world, forging new forms of power and domination. Political and cultural theorists speak today of post-colonialism, referring to contemporary power dynamics and economic relations in newly emerged states that, while attempting to forge their own paths, constantly encounter global forms of domination.

Cultural forces across the globe are actively responding to the shifting political climate. Jazz is emerging as a medium that enables artists to recall the suffering of the past, critique present-day injustices, and articulate a vision of the future that is beautiful yet uncertain. The speaker will explore these themes by drawing on the ideas of philosophers, cultural theorists, and musicians from various continents.

Kasparas Pocius holds a PhD in philosophy and is a playwright, translator, and educator. He completed his history studies at Vilnius University and undertook research stays at universities in Manchester (UK), Kingston (London), and Paris. Since 2012, he has taught at the Department of Art History and Theory at Vilnius Academy of Arts, and since 2019, he has served as a literary consultant for the Oskaras Koršunovas/Vilnius City Theatre.