Conference „Traces of Extinction: Species Loss, Solastalgia, and Semiotics of Recovery“

The sixth mass species extinction is one of the greatest ecological threats of our time. The rate at which species going extinct appear to be a hundred times higher now than a century ago.

In the context of these scientific estimations, our interest in this conference lies in cultural, subjective and semiotic approaches to extinction. How is modern culture so effective at masking this catastrophic process? How is extinction perceived subjectively, both from the point of view of the dying species and the humans who witness it? What cultural strategies can be used to raise awareness of extinction? What means do individuals and communities have for reducing and avoiding species extinction?

The conference is organised by the Department of Semiotics, University of Tartu, in cooperation with Cost Action “CA20134 – Traces as Research Agenda for Climate Change, Technology Studies, and Social Justice (TRACTS)”. The conference is part of the Creative Nature Festival programme organised by the University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden and partners. The Festival belongs to the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme, Arts of Survival Creative Nature Festival.

Register: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=F2M1bQQNvEq2toyXc4hbsFU2dln9X5ZBluCSirnHWlpUQjNDU003Q1QyS0tXUTRTN1haUksyUUExRC4u

If you want to grab a bite or need a place to stay, see what the Tartu 2024 hospitality network offers in the area: https://tartu2024.ee/recommendations-tartucity