Lost in distraction?
- A conference on music, film, arts and culture as Europe’s way forward
Join us in Copenhagen
This November VEGA invites you to a thought-provoking afternoon exploring the future of culture in Europe.
Lost in Distraction? is a high-level cultural conference held during the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. It brings together leading voices from across Europe to rethink how music, film, arts and culture can help build a more resilient, imaginative and connected future.
Event details:
📅 Date: 3 November 2025
📍 Venue: VEGA, Copenhagen
🕙 Time: 11.00 a.m.–5 p.m. (Conference) | 5–7 p.m. (Networking)
🎫 Sold out - click here for waiting list link
An event of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the conference is organised by VEGA, the Agency for Culture and Palaces , the Danish Film Institute , European Commission Representation in Denmark and the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies , in association with Creative Europe Desk Denmark and Kulturmøde Mors .
The conference program framework has been created by independent curator Majken Overgaard and Nicklas Larsen, Head of Impact at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies. Through their vision and expertise, the agenda is structured around the potential of art, interdisciplinary collaboration, and new ways of understanding the role of culture in society.
Programme
Doors and check in in VEGA foyer
PART 1 – Are we lost in distraction?
Deep listening session by Danish artist Giift
Opening remarks by Sigmund Lubanski, director of the Agency for Culture and Palaces
Setting the tone, motivation by host of the day, Louise Opprud
Keynote by Christina Rosendahl, film director and screenwriter
Break
Musical performance by Greenlandic artist Tarrak
Keynote by Kaave Pour, founder of 21st Europe
Break
PART 2 – Hope in action – Art & culture as Europe’s way forward
Music, film, art and culture as Europe’s way forward
Voices of the next generation: Panel talk with Mads Gregorius Krag, UngKult, Katrine Petersen, ph.d. fellow, Tarrak, and Mira Bertelsen
How can EU better support the sector? Conversation with Luiza Moroz, Culture Action Europe and Nicklas Larsen, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies
Break
How can arts institutions spark real change?
Talk by Lene Vive Christiansen, VEGA
Talk by Karin Gottlieb, Roskilde Festival Gruppen, GRASP
Talk by Rikke Hedeager, REPUBLIQUE/REVOLVER
Talk: Marie Laurberg, Copenhagen Contemporary
Musical performance: Vesterbro Ungdomsgård Choir
Break
Panel talk “What and who are we distracted by?” with Tine Fischer, Danish Film Institute
Summary with Louise Opprud
Presentation artistic showcases by Majken Overgaard
PART 3 – Artistic showcases and networking
During the conference, participants are invited to experience the following artistic works and meet selected creators behind them during the networking session from 17:00–19:00 in VEGA foyer and Ideal Bar
- REPUBLIQUE / REVOLVER – Exhibition of scenography from selected stage productions
- A Thousand Voices – Immersive choral composition by Philip | Schneider
- CC Create – Hat-making workshop and exhibition of creations made by museum visitors
- SMK SurReel – AI-generated projections of surrealist artworks from the SMK exhibition
- GlassBrain – 3D brain visualisation displaying real-time, source-localised neural activity made by Adam Gazzaly
- DOGME 25 - A New Artistic Direction for Danish Cinema
Organised by
VEGA
The Agency for Culture and Palaces
The Danish Film Institute
Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies .
European Commission Representation in Denmark
In association with:
Creative Europe Desk Denmark
Kulturmøde Mors.
Funded with support from the Europa-Nævnet. Responsibility for the content lies solely with the grant recipient.
Register - Full
Registration for Lost in Distraction is full.
Click here for waiting list link
Please note: As the conference is part of the official EU Presidency programme, the registration procedure is subject to enhanced security requirements.
When registering, you will therefore be asked to provide your national ID number and upload a colour photograph of yourself.
You will also be required to indicate your mode of arrival. Domestic travellers are advised to use the category “Own arrangement”.
Conference registration is binding and can be completed until 30 October.
About the conference
In an age of fragmented attention and constant digital noise, how do we protect and nurture creativity? What does it mean to focus, to create, and to connect – especially for the next generation raised in a digital-first world?
This conference invites artists, cultural leaders, policymakers and thinkers to ask bold questions and envision new pathways. Rather than seeing culture as something being disrupted, we’ll explore how it can be a driver of renewal and resilience in European society.
Why it matters
Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. It thrives in ecosystems – shaped by shared values, strong frameworks and meaningful investment.
As Europe navigates profound technological and social changes, the cultural sector holds untapped potential as a space for connection, critique and coherence. If we want a future that is inclusive, imaginative and sustainable, culture must be seen not as decoration, but as infrastructure.
