Symposium – Striding out on women's paths

On Saturday 18 April at 2 pm, a symposium will be held in connection with the exhibition. People which is currently taking place at Hafnarborg. The Research Institute for Gender Studies at the University of Iceland (RIKK) is organising the symposium, where academics and social commentators come together to discuss topics from the perspective of men's and gender studies.

The participants are all well-known for their research or writing on equality issues, namely Ingólfur V. Gíslason, Jón Ingvar Kjaran and Árni Matthíasson. The panel discussion is chaired by the writer and literary scholar Haukur Ingvarsson, and following the keynote speeches, the artists whose works are on display will take part in a panel discussion.

The exhibition People focuses on the position of men at the beginning of the 21st century and the changes in their circumstances in light of the changing status of women. The exhibition features works by Curver Thoroddsen, Finn Arnar Arnarson, Hlyn Hallsson and Kristinn G. Harðarson. In their works, they tackle questions about the position of men within the family, ideas about their participation in family life, responsibility for the family's livelihood, and the upbringing of children.

About the round table participants:

Ingólfur V. Gíslason, a lecturer at the University of Iceland in men's studies, paternity leave and gender equality issues. Ingólfur has decades of experience in research, teaching and work in his specialist field. Ingólfur titles his talk Television journalists from South Korea.

Jón Ingvar Kjaran, finished He completed his PhD in 2014 and is an adjunct associate professor at the Faculty of Education, University of Iceland. He has worked in research in queer and gender studies alongside teaching at the Icelandic Business School. Jón Ingvar's talk is entitled Brotherhood: the friendship and care of Icelandic men.

Árni Matthíasson, A journalist for Morgunblaðið and a social commentator who has written columns on the status of men, as well as writing about Icelandic music, literature, and computers and technology.

The seminar begins with the following: Ólöf K. Sigurðardóttir Director of Hafnarborg and curator of the exhibition People presents the exhibition. Following the presentations, there will be a panel discussion with the speakers and the artists whose works are on display at the exhibition. The chair is Haukur Ingvarsson Writer and literary scholar. The symposium is open to all and admission is free.