OBERFLÄCHENSPANNUNG: Körper & Widerstand

WASSER publisher Stefanie Jaksch talks to Solmaz 'Khorsand and Amani Abuzahra about the power of being seen and resistance.

What would our bodies be without resistance? Only when we come into contact with other people, things and attitudes to life do we become aware of what defines our own body and where we ourselves resist. But when is resistance tiring, when do you have the choice whether you want to be resistant or not - and when do you have no other choice? An evening about visibility, belonging and the question of one's own resilience.

Guest

Amani Abuzahra is a philosopher, author and educational speaker. She received her doctorate from the University of Vienna and works at the interface of philosophy, emotions, society and democracy education. Her book A Place Called Anger(Kremayr & Scheriau) deals with the political dimension of emotions and questions of recognition, belonging and responsibility. In addition to her academic work (most recently at the Sigmund Freud University as a postdoctoral researcher), she works as a lecturer and workshop leader in the educational and cultural sectors. Most recently published:Muslim Futures. Imagination processes and collective dreams(transcript); From the k.u.k. Monarchy up to the Islam Law 2015. Muslims in Austria (Herder).

Solmaz Khorsand is a journalist, author and podcaster. Professional positions as an editor at the Wiener Zeitung, Die Zeit, derStandard.at, Datum and the Swiss magazine Republik. She holds a Masters in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University (USA). Her books include “Pathos” (2021), “Submissive. Of Good and Rebellious Lemmings” and “Unsuspicious. A Confession.” (2024). For her work she was awarded, among other things: awarded the Vienna Journalist Prize 2018. Khorsand also gives speeches on socio-political issues, for example at the Salzburg Festival on "Revolte", the opening speech for the Globart Discourse Festival, and with "Wien, du old Punk" for the Vienna Year of Democracy and most recently a "Vienna reading" on the topic of "Long Breath".

Moderation: Stefanie Jaksch

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On the concept of SURFACE TENSION:

Liquids form a surface where they meet air, which only tears when it comes into contact with a body. Where are our personal and social moments of breaking point? Stefanie Jaksch and guests are looking for answers in the 2025/2026 season under the theme "Body" at the USUS in the Schauspielhaus Vienna.

The central questions are always: Which situations become personal and social tests for us? When is our surface tension in danger of breaking? And who and what will carry us when it falls away? Is everyone on their own - or do we support each other?