Visit and Presentation of the EPESEP project in Oslo

July 30 to August 4, 2025

From July 30 to August 4, 2025, a delegation from ≠igfem travelled to Oslo to present and further develop the EU-funded project EPESEP (Equal Pay, Equal Show, Equal Pension) on an international level, and to establish meaningful connections with feminist authors and literary institutions in Norway. The delegation consisted of Gerlinde Hacker, president and national representative of ≠igfem, and Eva Surma, ≠igfem representative for the region of Styria.

The ≠igfem delegation presented the contents and goals of the EPESEP project, which include:

• A Feminist Reading List, a curated and continuously growing online collection of literary works by mainly contemporary female authors from the project’s partner countries. It aims to increase the visibility of feminist and socio-critical literature and is accompanied by recommendations for use in schools, universities, and the general public.

• An International Writing Group, a digital space in which women authors from various countries write together, discuss texts, and support one another artistically and politically.

• A Europe-wide survey on the social, economic, and public status of women authors in EU member states, aiming to provide evidence-based insights for feminist cultural policy.

• A series of international symposia, hosted in four countries, that bring together authors, researchers, activists, and institutions to discuss feminist literary strategies, structural inequalities, and opportunities for political action.

  
  

During the stay in Oslo, several on-site writing sessions took place – both individually and in group settings. These sessions were inspired by the cultural, political, and geographical impressions of the Norwegian capital and will be reflected in future ≠igfem publications, performances, and artistic projects.

One of the key meetings took place at the Austrian Embassy in Oslo, where Gerlinde Hacker and Eva Surma introduced ≠igfem’s ongoing work and outlined the contents and aims of the EPESEP project – including the feminist reading list, the international writing groups, and the planned symposia. In conversation with embassy officials Manuela Linke and Ute Friessner, possible formats for cooperation were discussed – such as readings, artistic dialogues, and cultural exchange activities in Oslo.

Another central appointment was the visit to the Deichman Library, the oldest and largest public library in Norway. The delegation was warmly received by Ranveig Stende Johnsen. The focus of the conversation was the exchange of feminist reading lists, especially the one published on the Deichman Library website, which closely aligns in content and approach with the EPESEP list. The discussion included shared experiences, challenges, and visions for the future development of such feminist literary resources. Both sides expressed interest in future editorial cooperation, for example in the form of a transnational exchange of recommended readings or a joint digital publication platform.

In addition, the Deichman project “Future Lab” was introduced – an innovative platform designed to promote critical dialogue about the future, foster creative participation formats, and support inclusive cultural work. The ≠igfem team explored possible points of connection and discussed the potential for future involvement.

Another important highlight of the trip was the visit to Litteraturhuset Oslo (House of Literature) – the largest institution of its kind in Europe. The ≠igfem delegation explored opportunities for cross-border feminist literary programming, connections with local authors and institutions, and the potential for readings, discussions, and joint events. The team at Litteraturhuset expressed a strong interest in further collaboration, and ≠igfem is currently planning a follow-up trip to Oslo in autumn 2026 to build on the connections made and realise concrete events.

For ≠igfem, this journey was not only artistically enriching and creatively productive but also a decisive step towards strengthening the international visibility of feminist authors from Austria. The direct exchange with Norwegian colleagues, institutions, and networks provided essential input for the next phase of the EPESEP project – especially in terms of transnational cooperation, structural improvements, and sustainable feminist cultural work across Europe.