On the track of patriarchy

For almost a year, the University of Bayreuth and the City of Bayreuth dealt with Rebekka Endler's book "The Patriarchy of Things, Why the World Doesn't Suit Women" as part of the project "One University, One Book". In March, the action year culminated in an exhibition in the Iwalewahaus. This was conceived and curated in a student seminar. The aim of this project was to continue the search for traces of patriarchal design, androcentric structures and inequalities that Rebekka Endler had collected in her book in Bayreuth. Selected exhibits will be on display in the lounge of the university library from 19 April to 30 May.

The events surrounding "Eine Uni ein Buch" kicked off with a "feminist scavenger hunt" as part of the UNIKAT summer festival in the Ecological-Botanical Garden on 16 July 2022 (conceived by Lisa Kratzer). Visitors were invited to solve the riddles at the various stations, learn something about ecofeminism and, with a bit of luck, win the treasure in the form of a copy of "The Patriarchy of Things". On 6 August 2022, we were guests at "Bayreuth blättert", the inclusive reading festival in the heart of Bayreuth. Here, Dr Elena Köstner read individual passages ("Dominant edges", "Who pees where?" and "Consumer temples") from Rebekka Endler's book that had reference to public space. In this context, we also presented our participatory action for the first time: Listeners could record their thoughts on patriarchy and its traces in the city and on campus as well as their suggestions for solutions on postcards.

The highlight of the project was the reading with Rebekka Endler on 26 October 2022 in the Europasaal in DAS ZENTRUM.

"We are proud of the extensive offer we were able to provide for the city, the district and the campus and with which we were able to involve both students and staff* of the UBT as well as residents in the discourse on patriarchy and the gender gap, so that many people were able to learn from each other and exchange experiences," says Dr. Elena Köster.

Other activities included the Bayreuth City Talk with Prof. Dr. Matthew Hannah, a Halloween scavenger hunt, a reading and exhibition course as well as an empowerment workshop for students and a workshop for academics on how patriarchy influences research.