UNESCO Chair “Anthropology of Traditional Music: Representation and Recontextualization of Intangible Cultural Heritage” at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Dodoma in Tanzania jointly organize the online lecture series Looking into the Future by Respecting the Past – A Lecture Series in Dialogue. This is the first joint initiative between the two institutions.

Ancestral knowledge is often documented, archived and exhibited, but is rarely put into practical use. The lecture series is based on the premise that some of the knowledge that communities need today has already been part of their cultural heritage. This is knowledge transmitted through song, ritual and art, which can contribute to adaptation to climate change, the strengthening of social cohesion, and the education of younger generations.

The series comprises three joint lectures-dialogues. In each session, a presentation by the UNESCO Chair is complemented by a presentation from the University of Dodoma, followed by an open discussion:

Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 11:00–13:00: “Social Awakening through Culture and Education”, featuring the presentation “Making as Knowledge: Indigenous Knowledge in the Making of Wagogo Musical Instruments”.

Thursday, 29 October 2026, 10:00–12:00: “Encountering Ancestral Knowledge as a Pathway to the Future”, featuring the presentation “Ancestral Knowledge and Adaptation to Climate Change in Traditional Societies”.

Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 10:00–12:00: “Transformative Education for a New Future”, featuring the presentation “Cultural Heritage under Pressure: Living Tradition, Tourism and Preservation”.

(All times are given in Greece time. In Tanzania, all sessions will take place from 11:00 to 13:00.)

Programme of the First Session – Tuesday, 13 October 2026

(Same time in Athens and Tanzania)

11:00 – Welcome and Official Remarks

Prof. Lughano Kusiluka, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dodoma

Dr Dimitrios Kamsaris, Honorary Consul of the United Republic of Tanzania in Athens

11:10 – Presentation by the UNESCO Chair

Pavlos Kavouras, Professor Emeritus, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Head of the UNESCO Chair

Aikaterini (Katia) Mari, PhD Candidate in Ethnomusicology and Cultural Anthropology

11:40 – Presentation by the University of Dodoma

Prof. Pambas Tandika, Dr Zuhura Badru, Dr Abel Shikoni and Dr Winfrida Kambona

12:10 – Dialogue between the teams of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Dodoma

12:20 – Open Discussion

12:55 – Closing

The lectures will be held online via Webex and will be conducted in English. They are open to students and researchers, educators, and all those interested in the subject, with free registration.

Registration:
Webex Registration

Information: Aikaterini (Katia) Mari, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ·
UNESCO Chair “Anthropology of Traditional Music” – NKUA