Dr. Mitja Velikonja to Speak on Graffiti and Cultural Expression in Ukraine
Rosemont, PA – Rosemont College’s Cultural Heritage Gallery is proud to announce an engaging lecture by world-renowned scholar Dr. Mitja Velikonja, chair of Cultural Studies from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia titled “When Walls Speak: Graffiti Studies in Ukraine.” This event is free and open to the public.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- Time: 3:30 pm
- Location: Reading Room, Kistler Memorial Library, Rosemont College
- RSVP: This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP so that we can plan seating appropriately to: joanne.campbell@rosemont.edu.
Dr. Velikonja’s lecture will delve into the power of graffiti and street art as forms of political and cultural expression. Drawing from his acclaimed book When Walls Speak—translated into six languages—and over two decades of research, Dr. Velikonja will highlight the vibrant and poignant street art created during his recent fieldwork trips to Ukraine.
This event marks a special milestone: the 20th anniversary of Dr. Velikonja’s time at Rosemont College as a Fulbright Fellow.
“This lecture promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of how art intersects with politics and culture, offering unique insights into the resilience and creativity of Ukrainian society during turbulent times,” said Joanne Campbell, Director of Rosemont’s Cultural Heritage Gallery.
Introduction by:
Prof. Paul Mojzes, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Rosemont College
About Dr. Mitja Velikonja
Dr. Velikonja is a Professor of Cultural Studies and the head of the Center for Cultural and Religious Studies at the University of Ljubljana.
He is widely recognized for his research on political ideologies, subcultures, graffiti culture, collective memory, and post-socialist nostalgia in Central Europe and the Balkans.
His work has earned him numerous national and international accolades, including the Erasmus EuroMedia Award and the Odesa Book Fair Award for the Ukrainian translation of his book Titostalgia.
Dr. Velikonja’s most recent publications include:
About Rosemont's Cultural Heritage Gallery
Rosemont’s Cultural Heritage Gallery was established in 2021 by Campbell in collaboration with Tina Waldeier Bizzarro, professor of art history, who retired from Rosemont in 2022. The gallery is now co-led by Campbell and Chelsea Frank, Director of the Cultural Heritage Gallery Archives. The gallery’s mission is to celebrate and explore diverse cultures through dynamic, rotating exhibits housed in the Gertrude Kistler Library.
Designed as both a living laboratory and a springboard for experiential learning, the gallery enriches students’ educational experiences with opportunities for travel/study programs, internships, and alumni engagement events.
Since its inception, the gallery has showcased a wide array of cultural themes, including winter festivals around the world, Polish heritage, Indigenous Peoples, Irish mythology, African art, Mexican art, and more, fostering a deeper appreciation for global diversity.
