- event type:WOMEX 25 Conference Session
- date:25 Oct 2025
- time:16:30 - 17:30
- city/area:Tampere
- venue:Conference Room 4
- country:Finland
- event posted by:Piranha Arts
Links
Chaired by
Merlyn Driver (UK), EarthSonic;
with
Ch´umilkaj (Guatemala), Singer-songwriter Kaqchikel;
Barbora Šilhánová (Czech Republic/Finland), Old Forest Echoes ry;
Melisa Yıldırım (Türkiye/UK), MY Music Education & Consultancy
We are living through interconnected climate and biodiversity crises, with most scientists in agreement that we have entered a sixth mass extinction. Many artists are trying to use music to raise awareness of climate change and biodiversity loss, yet this work can sometimes feel futile – its values and purpose drowned out by social media algorithms and the cut-throat demands of a music industry facing economic pressure. In this session, speakers will share their experiences and explore key questions such as: what it means to 'collaborate with nature'? How can intercultural collaboration alignwith environmental responsibility? Where can funding be found for such work? And how can storytelling be used to meaningfully engage and inspire?