The Visible Protest Lab in Sweden brought together activists, artists, and journalists to explore new forms of anti-war resistance and strengthen its visibility across Europe. Over three days, participants discussed the effectiveness of street and digital actions, the role of art and media, and developed ideas for future joint campaigns.
From August 21 to 25, Sweden hosted the Visible Protest Lab — a three-day educational gathering organized by the Platform of Anti-War Initiatives. The program focused on finding new forms of resistance and amplifying the visibility of Russian anti-war protest abroad.
The Lab brought together anti-war activists, artists, journalists, and representatives of civic and diaspora initiatives. Over three intense days, participants explored strategies for street and digital actions, the role of art in resistance, and opportunities for joint efforts.
The program included lectures, workshops, discussions, and collaborative work on practical tasks. Participants analyzed successful campaigns of recent decades and experimented with designing new protest scenarios. Special attention was given to which forms of protest are losing relevance today and which are becoming more effective. For example, solo pickets and traditional placards draw less attention in Europe, while memes, challenges, and digital formats can serve as powerful protest tools. Another discussion focused on how to use the body, clothing, voice, or even the collective itself as a form of political expression. This broad perspective helped show that resistance can move beyond the street and transform into new cultural and social practices.
One of the sessions focused on working with the media. Independent journalists shared why some stories make the news while others remain invisible, while activists explored new ways to create media hooks that go beyond the standard press release.
Several hours of debate were dedicated to the difference between artivism and activism. Artists spoke about the language of metaphors and symbols that works within art practices. One of the Lab’s workshops examined how to make artistic statements politically effective, and political statements visually and emotionally powerful.
The Lab became a space for honest dialogue and exchange of experience. Discussions went beyond protest formats to include safety, collective planning, and sustainability of protest initiatives. For participants, it became a place of cooperation — an opportunity to develop shared narratives that can make Russian anti-war protest more visible across Europe.
By the end of the Lab, participants had outlined several working ideas for future campaigns. International groups planned joint projects and approaches to media coverage.
The key outcome was stronger connections between activist, journalistic, and artistic communities, along with a renewed confidence that even in exile, it is possible to find allies, act together, and gain international support.