Something That Never Was

Something That Never Was - performance and discussion: Wednesday 11 November 2026, 19:00–20:00, Ungdommens Demokratihus, Copenhagen. Admission is free.

Censorship of literature and art, and restrictions on freedom of expression, have existed throughout history and persist today. How do those in power attempt to control narratives and voices? What happens to writers and artists when their works are restricted, banned, or silenced - and what patterns repeat from the past to the present? These questions form the basis for an evening at Ungdommens Demokratihus on November 11, where performance art and conversation meet to explore censorship, literature, artistic freedom, and freedom of expression.

19:00-19:30: Something That Never Was
The evening begins with a performance of the solo dance work "Something That Never Was" by Ukrainian choreographer and dancer Anastasia Krasnoshchoka. The work draws on poetry and music from a generation of Ukrainian artists known as The Executed Renaissance, who were censored and persecuted in the 1930s.

19:30-20:00: Conversation and Q&A
After the performance, the evening continues with a conversation about censorship, literature, artistic freedom, and freedom of expression featuring a journalist and an expert in humanitarian law. Using the work as a starting point, the conversation examines how artists and writers throughout history have faced censorship and pressure, and what we can recognize in contemporary examples - as well as what this means for our ability to understand each other and the world around us. There is an opportunity to listen or participate in the conversation.