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: 11.30 a.m.–5 p.m. (Conference) | 5–7 p.m. (Networking)
🎫 Register now
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 and the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies , in association with Creative Europe Desk Denmark and Kulturmøde Mors .
Programme Highlights
The programme, developed by independent curator Majken Overgaard and Nicklas Larsen (Head of Impact, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies), features:
- Keynote by Christina Rosendahl – on the role of art in a changing Europe
- Performance by Tarrak – Greenlandic artist engaging with identity and creativity
- Keynote by Kaave Pour (21st Europe) – perspectives on Europe’s future
- Contribution by Katrine Pedersen – bringing youth voices into the cultural debate
- Deep Listening session by Giift
Conference host: Louise Opprud – guiding discussions throughout the day
The programme also includes contributions from Roskilde Festival, Copenhagen Contemporary, the Danish Film Institute and VEGA, alongside directors, curators and cultural practitioners.
Network
The day concludes with networking and artistic experiences at VEGA. Participants are invited to engage in conversations with artists and cultural practitioners, explore curated audiovisual works in the foyer, and experience immersive installations in the Ideal Bar. This closing session provides a space for exchange across disciplines and sectors, fostering dialogue and new connections between policymakers, artists, institutions and cultural entrepreneurs.
Organised by
VEGA
The Agency for Culture and Palaces
The Danish Film Institute
Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies .
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
Registration for Lost in Distraction is now open. Secure your place today.
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.
