The Diplomatic Suitcase is on display for the first time at Spore Initiative Berlin from July 25 to September 29, 2024 as part of the exhibition Wasserspiegel – Water Bodies.
Context
Water is essential for all life on Earth, yet it is seldom represented in political decision-making. Responding to the challenges of water management and the global call for water democracy, the Confluence of European Water Bodies emerged to explore the ‘Rights of Nature’ in Europe. This growing community of over 20 grassroots groups, representing seas, lakes, rivers, lagoons, and glaciers from across Europe, seeks to foster new dialogues and relationships with water. They advocate for innovative strategies to represent water in Europe’s cultural, legal, and political realms.
The Confluence of European Water Bodies first convened in September 2023 at Spain’s Mar Menor, the first European ecosystem granted legal personhood. Inspired by this fragile and contaminated lagoon, the Confluence strengthens nature protection efforts across Europe.
Diplomatic Suitcase
The Diplomatic Suitcase is a symbolic and tangible remnant of this momentum. During gatherings of water communities, each participating body contributed an artifact, such as a 1970s seahorse bone from the Mar Menor, a bikini from the Polish River Sisters, and algae from the Venice lagoon. These items symbolize the spirit of care and activism in addressing environmental crises. The Diplomatic Suitcase is curated by the Embassy of the North Sea, TBA21-Academy and the SpreeBerlin Initiative (Symbiotic-Lab)
Fluent Rights – Activation of the Diplomatic Suitcase”
On September 14 2024, we invite you to join a conversation about the legal, cultural and political representation of water and the activation of the Diplomatic Suitcase in Berlin. This event will engage with the growing network that supports rights of nature and delves into dialogue about protection, modes of activism, care, and regenerative strategies.
How can personified nature, through laws, myths, and stories, help us develop a healthy emotional and legislative connection to the river ecosystem? How can this help us guard and care for these ecosystems differently? Can we protect the network of interdependencies in a just manner?
Info
Dates: July 25 to September 29, 2024
Location: Spore Initiative Berlin
Opening hours:Thu, Fri: 3-8 pm; Sa, Sun: 12-8 pm
