While the CRIC – Festival for Critical Culture prepares for its summer series of exciting public events, we would like to open up a space for shared reading, reflection and exchange from now on, in an attempt to encourage more possibilities engagement on the focus topics. In anticipation of the talks and presentations with the authors that will take place in Skopje at the end of June, we invite you to join the “Critical Literary Circle: Care for This Life” – a series of reading meetings conceived as a way to activate, stimulate and strengthen the local scene through shared critical reading and discussion/conversation.
Within the broader thematic focus of this year’s CRIC, which is dedicated to laboratory reflection and active exploration of models of care, community, and the conditions of shared life, the literary circle will be dedicated to two significant and provocative books: “Pirate Care” by Tomislav Medak, Valeria Graziano, and Marcel Mars, and “This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom” by Martin Heglund, which Kontrapunkt published as part of its edition for contemporary critical theory, Punctum. The books are translated by Žarko Trajanoski.
From early May to late June, participants will read selected texts provided in Macedonian and English, creating a space for critical reading, conversation, and shared interpretation. The circle is conceived as an opportunity not only for reading, but also for shared reflection on care as a social practice, on responsibility and solidarity, as well as on the forms of life that we create and defend together.
Participants can choose to join in reading one or both books. The reading group will meet once a week.
About the books
“Pirate Care” explores the forms of collective care that emerge where institutions fail – from mutual aid and informal infrastructures, to solidarity, disobedience and shared survival. This is a powerful and extremely relevant book about how people organize care outside the market, the state and exclusionary systems.
“This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom” is a bold reflection on finitude, freedom, commitment and what gives meaning to life precisely because it is fragile and finite. Martin Hägglund offers a deeply engaging argument for why our time, our relationships and our shared world matter.
Towards the end of June, the authors of both books will be in Skopje as part of the KRIK – Festival for Critical Culture. Participants in the literary circle will have a special opportunity, in addition to attending public events, to participate in a separate meeting and direct exchange of opinions and concepts with the authors.
The circle is open to all those interested in critical thought, literature, politics, philosophy and collective discussion.
The circle is part of the activities planned in the School of Critical Thinking at Kontrapunkt 2026.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/EgkRGs1Xa1Tu2zgW8
CRIC – Festival for Critical Culture is supported within the framework of the project “Culture for Development” of the Government of Switzerland, which is implemented by the Hartefact Foundation. The content/opinions expressed can never be interpreted as the views of the Government of Switzerland and the Hartefact Foundation.
CRIC – Festival for Critical Culture is supported by the Goethe-Institut Skopje, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of North Macedonia, ProPeace, Skopje and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Skopje.
Споделено на: May 29, 2026 во 9:50 pm