Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

Where are we in Iraq five years after the invasion and five years after the 1st ‘Les van de eeuw’ (Lesson of the century), Oorlog is geen kunst (War is not Art), that we held on the eve of the invasion? Somewhere or nowhere?

Have we learned from the invasion and more importantly, from the dramatic aftermath of the invasion? What are the consequences for the Middle East, and for Iran, Pakistan an Afghanistan in particular? And how has the war affected the relationship between the States and Europe? When will the economic winners – the companies that will rebuild Iraq – be named? When is the Bush administration going to admit that this was a war for oil? And what will be the impact of Iraq and the war on terror on the American presidential election of 2008? And was Al Gore right when he wrote that the States have lost all sense of reason?

On the 19th of March 2008 the Critical Forum will commemorate the 5th anniversary of Oorlog is geen Kunst (War is not Art), because the Iraq war turned out to be the disaster we had feared. Weapons of Mass Destruction were not found and every day brings more casualties on both sides.

The lesson of the century consists of three ‘classes’: one for high school seniors in the morning, one for academics in the afternoon, and one for the general public in the evening. The panel will include academics, civilians, journalists and people from the arts sector.

OPEN MORNING CLASS: 9 am – noon Theaterzaal – free admission

Introduction: Five years in Iraq by professor Sami Zemni (Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University); how did it start and where are we five years on?

Class 1: professor Bruno De Cordier (Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University) and journalist Joël De Ceulaer (Knack, Canvas) will talk about Pakistan and Afghanistan. The professor travelled through both countries in difficult circumstances. A report from the front lines.

Class 2: professor Ruddy Doom (Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University) and journalist Annelies Rutten (Het Nieuwsblad) will talk about universal rules of conduct, fundamental rights and the thirst for power.

Interludes with pictures & video, music by Hazim Kamaledim (Cactusbloem vzw)

OPEN AFTERNOON CLASS: 3 pm – 5 pm Theaterzaal – free admission

Professor Ruddy Doom (Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University) will talk about the ‘war on words’. Other guests to be confirmed. Music by Osama Abdulrasol.

EVENING CLASS & DEBATE: 8 pm – 10 pm Theaterzaal – free admission

With moderator Joël De Ceulaer (Knack), professor Ruddy Doom (Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University) and professor Sami Zemni (Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University), a representative from the B_Russell_s Tribunal, Rudi Vranckx (VRT), Karel De Gucht (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Ayfer Erkul (De Morgen). Including interludes with pictures, video, poetry, and music by Cactusbloem vzw.

The magazine Samenleving en politiek will award the Emile Zola prize for the best political essay written by a person under 26.

This performance is in the 5 For Students March Top 5