Festival empatije ove je godine ponudio bogat i raznovrstan program posvećen razumijevanju, povezivanju i izgradnji otpornijih zajednica. Središnja tema bila je neuspjeh – način na koji ga doživljavamo, tumačimo i nosimo se s njim. Tijekom festivala promatralo se neuspjeh iz različitih perspektiva: od emocionalnih i misaonih reakcija, preko fizičkih senzacija, do mogućih posljedica koje ostavlja. Raspravljalo se i o tome je li neuspjeh objektivan ili subjektivan konstrukt, kako ga društvo percipira te utječe li socioekonomski status na (ne)uspjeh. Program je uključivao i prikaze načina na koji različite kulture promatraju i vrednuju neuspjeh.
Posjetitelji su imali priliku vidjeti “umjetnost s greškom”, pogledati četiri renomirana filma te sudjelovati u radionicama usmjerenima na jačanje psihološke otpornosti u suočavanju s neuspjesima. Oni zainteresirani za psihoterapiju dobili su uvid u terapijski proces te mogućnost prijave za jednu besplatnu online terapiju s volonterima terapeutima.
U sklopu festivala u Zagrebu, 29. studenog o.g., u prostorijama MSU-a, održao se panel posvećen socioekonomskom utjecaju kulture i njezinoj ulozi u oblikovanju zajednice. Na panelu je sudjelovala i Martina Petrović, voditeljica DKE – Ureda MEDIA Hrvatske. S dugim iskustvom rada u području europskih audiovizualnih politika, Petrović je u raspravu unijela vrijedne uvide o međunarodnim modelima financiranja, razvoju kulturnih kapaciteta i važnosti umrežavanja za održiv rast kreativnih industrija.
Panel se bavio ključnim pitanjem: kako kultura, kao prostor stvaralaštva i društvenog dijaloga, može biti motor pozitivnih promjena – od jačanja društvene kohezije do poticanja ekonomskog razvoja. Otvorile su se teme doprinosa kulturnih institucija i nezavisne scene zajednici, utjecaja kulturnih projekata na lokalnu ekonomiju te uloge empatije u budućem oblikovanju kulturnih politika.
Na panelu su sudjelovali:
Panel je moderirala Ivana Antunović Jović.
Sudionici su ponudili konkretne primjere iz prakse te širu refleksiju o utjecaju kulture na svakodnevni život, razvoj zajednice i dugoročne društvene procese. Naglašeno je kako kulturne politike, projekti i javne institucije mogu stvarati održive društvene modele temeljene na suradnji, uključenosti i – upravo – empatiji.
Festival empatije 2025. održao se u tri grada u Zagrebu, Rijeci i Osijeku od 24. do 30. studenoga 2025. Svaki je grad ponudio jedinstven program, ali zajednička je bila misija pružanja edukativnog, poticajnog i inspirativnog iskustva posjetiteljima.
This year, the Festival of Empathy offered a rich and diverse programme dedicated to understanding, connection, and building more resilient communities. The central theme was failure – how we experience it, interpret it, and cope with it. Throughout the festival, failure was examined from various perspectives: from emotional and cognitive reactions, through physical sensations, to the potential consequences it leaves behind. Discussions also explored whether failure is an objective or subjective construct, how society perceives it, and whether socioeconomic status influences (non)success. The programme also included presentations on how different cultures view and value failure.
Visitors had the opportunity to see “art with a flaw,” watch four renowned films, and take part in workshops aimed at strengthening psychological resilience in dealing with failure. Those interested in psychotherapy were given insight into the therapeutic process and the opportunity to register for a free online therapy session with volunteer therapists.
As part of the festival in Zagreb, on 29th of November 2025 at MSU, a panel dedicated to the socioeconomic impact of culture and its role in shaping community life was held. Among the participants was Martina Petrović, Head of the CED - MEDIA Office Croatia. With extensive experience in the field of European audiovisual policies, Petrović brought valuable insights into international funding models, the development of cultural sector capacities, and the importance of networking for the sustainable growth of the creative industries.
The panel focused on a key question: how can culture, as a space of creativity and social dialogue, become a driver of positive change – from strengthening social cohesion to stimulating economic development? Discussions opened up topics such as the contribution of cultural institutions and the independent scene to community life, the impact of cultural projects on the local economy, and the role of empathy in shaping future cultural policies.
The panel featured:
The panel was moderated by Ivana Antunović Jović.
Participants offered concrete examples from practice as well as broader reflections on the impact of culture on everyday life, community development, and long-term social processes. It was emphasised that cultural policies, projects, and public institutions can create sustainable social models based on cooperation, inclusion, and—precisely—empathy.
The Festival of Empathy 2025 took place in three cities—Zagreb, Rijeka, and Osijek—from 24 to 30 November 2025. Each city offered a unique programme, but all shared the same mission: to provide an educational, inspiring, and thought-provoking experience for visitors.
