“The Motherness Galaxy” titles a series of gatherings which aims to explore the figure of the mother, mothering, motherhood, and its relationship to death, mourning, life and power. When and where does life begin and who gets to decide ? Castélie Yalombo and Sophie Farza invite artists, thinkers, social workers, and anyone interested to delve into the twists and turns of motherhood.

Maternal bodies hold a special place, as witnesses and subjects of a concrete proximity of the living and the dead in their very flesh. These experiences carry a heavy load of fantasies and symbols, making it sensitive and even difficult to support and accompany the psychic and reproductive lives of women and  any parents.

“Chapter 1: The Bad Mother” will focus on experiences that we’re used to keep aside and silenced when speaking of mother-and-parent-hood.  Tagged, in our western society, as failures toward what is expected of a mothering body, a mothering figure; events as pregnancy interruptions, “miscarriages”, loss of a newborn, post-partum depression, are common in reproductive life, yet they are still heavily stigmatized and their association with death make those difficult to be supported collectively. 

This day is an invitation to build together the knowledge we’re missing to support each other.  Featuring mind-body practices, readings, intimate and public talks, films  and a party. 

Chapter 2 : Doctor’s Feelings
Workshops on our views on life, death and how do we build commons around it.
Galaxy Talk : How does the medical body emotionally manage its relationship to death and grief in the context of pregnancy interruption, and loss of new borns ?

“Chapter 1: The Bad Mother” 
FREE ENTRY – INFORMATIONS FOR KIDS CORNER BELOW – MORE INFORMATIONS HERE

10:00 doors

11:00 workshops
WORKSHOP 1: Mothering the Body – the Mothering Body
WORKSHOP 2: Mthrwheel Of Change, a reading practice
WORKSHOP 3: Matter. Realization
€15 incl. vegetarian lunch & kids day care
if the ticket fee should be an obstacle, reach out to bissi@beursschouwburg.be

14:00 lunch
Tables 4 children of Earth

14:00 – 22:00 – cinema
looped screening

16:00 galaxy talk – round table
What do we hide behind the Bad Mother Figure ?

18:00 break

19:00 concert
AMOS+SVDU

20:00 DJ-set
a party with DJ SYLVIA

23:00 doors closed

We are excited to offer a KIDS CORNER.

10.30 am to 2.00 pm  during the morning activities Sophie Farza  will propose a workshop on relational objects for your children in the kids space. Minimum age 4 years old. On subscriptions, maximum 15 children. Any questions ? reach out to bissi@beursschouwburg.be

4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
To give as many visitors as possible the chance to participate, we kindly ask that you limit each child’s stay to a 1.5-hour time slot. We can accommodate up to 15 children at a time. To sign up, please contact bissi@beursschouwburg.be, providing your child’s name, age, your contact number for emergencies, and your preferred time slot.

“Chapter 2: Doctor’s Feelings” 
FREE ENTRY – FREE WORKSHOPS – MORE INFORMATIONS HERE

9:30 Reception
10:00 Introduction to The Motherness Galaxy
10:30 -13:30 Discursive workshop
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch
15:00 – 17:30 Galaxy Talk
18:00 Dinner
20:15 Performance MOTHERBABY by Marieke & Sophia