The ideal – who are the role models of the future?

About the Performance

Do you also want to see a different future? Do you also long for a different kind of public conversation? Are you curious about what philosophy has to do with it? Welcome to The Ideal!

The Ideal is a series of conversations that tackle current cultural and social issues from a philosophical perspective. A philosophical conversation distinguishes itself by putting the questions, rather than the answers, in focus. With a clear framework and a facilitator who provides structure and reassurance, philosophical conversations allow us to think about big and complex questions together.

Each conversation revolves around one or a few questions and is framed by live music from young local musicians who interpret the theme beyond words.
The conversations have three parts and begin with an approximately 45-minute stage conversation where guests from universities, the cultural sector, civil society or business reflect on their prior knowledge. In the second part of the conversation, the audience is invited to reflect on selected follow-up questions in small groups and based on their own experiences for about 30 minutes. The conversation then ends with about 20 minutes of joint reflection that weaves together the deep prior knowledge with the broad life experience. The Ideal is led by Malin Jörnvi, philosopher.
Welcome to explore your own ideas and ideals and find out what philosophy has to do with public discourse – and with the future!

CALL IN SPRING 2026

UKK February 5 18:30
The ideal –
What is culture? Who is culture?
In the first conversation of the series, Jonna Bornemark, Professor of Philosophy at Södertörn University and Rikard Lekander, CEO/Theatre Director at Uppsala City Theater, begin with their thoughts on the big question: What is culture? Because what do we really mean by culture? Is it different from society? Why do we have culture? And how do you go about changing the culture? The conversation will also touch on who counts as part of the culture, or whether there are different parts that include different groups. We will also ask ourselves what the difference is between culture and art.

UKK March 19 18:30
The ideal –
What should culture cost? Who should pay?
In The Ideal’s second conversation, Henrik Lillsjö, CEO/Artistic Director of Uppsala Konsert & Kongress and Jonas Österberg Nilsson, freelance director and actor at Uppsala City Theater, begin to twist and turn the questions: What should culture cost? And who will pay? We also take a closer look at what distinguishes a cultural institution from an independent actor and how to balance financial budgets and artistic vision in practice. We also ask how sponsorship actually works and whether art has ever been free.

UKK April 16 18:30
The ideal –
Who are the role models of the future?
In the last talk of the spring, Affe Ashkar, freelance director, Yoel Escanilla, freelance actor and musician, and Pia Anderson, founder of the sustainability network Uppsala:2030, take on the question of who are the role models of the future. Because what exactly is a role model? We also delve into questions such as what it means to lead by example and whether it is important to be able to reflect in others – is it different from fitting in? We also look at different examples of role models for the future and whether they have anything in common.