FORMATS:

In 2026 Semiofest will continue to build its foundation on stimulating Keynote talks and 15-minute participant presentations. But this year we also want to bring more energy and playfulness to the program – shorter, more dynamic interactions that foster relationships, crucial for the Semiofest community. We aim to open up a creative space where theory and practice meet to bring new perspectives.

Through these new formats we aim to create an atmosphere that is open and dialogical. Energetic, yes, but also offering moments for pause and meaningful reflection, opportunities for dialogue with oneself and with others.

This year we invite you to help us shape the following formats with your contributions, so that together we can better understand viscous qualities of today’s reality:

Presentations (15 minutes)

Our standard format, designed for the presentation of compelling projects –  business- or socially- oriented, academic, or artistic. These sessions give you the space to develop an idea, unfold a process, or share a deeper reflection. Possible contributions:

  • Commercial and social practice presentations: case studies and reflections on how semiotics shapes practices in design, advertising, branding, new media, education, activism, and social enterprise, highlighting their viscous qualities.
  • Academic presentations: explorations of how new concepts, perspectives, methods are applied to uncover viscous qualities and processes in today’s world.
  • Performative presentations: contributions that merge semiotic reflection with creative practice, from readings, films, music, and dance to “semiotic autobiographies”, that show how semiotics has shaped your personal path.
  • Communal presentations: explorations of cultural and social spaces of significance – community spaces, commons for creativity, refugee shelters, asylums, or gathering places. Spaces where the city, time, people, nature, digital and human experiences blend in a viscous way

Ludic Workshops (80 minutes)

Hands-on explorations that can take many forms, for example, creative methods, rituals, manual or intellectual skills, sensorial or embodied practices. 

Design a practical session that engages a minimum of 20 participants in putting viscosity and semiotics into action, framed by your own skills and reflections. Share your way of engaging with today’s reality and guide others through your process.

To the point (5 minutes)

Tell a story of a semiotic phenomenon in just five minutes. The format is open. It could be a visual presentation, a poster, a film, a performance – whatever you like, as long as it makes those five minutes on stage unforgettable. 

Draw participants in, captivate them, and let your object of passion stick to them. This is the space for personal fascinations, compelling obsessions and ideas that stir curiosity, hold attention, and leave traces that linger.

NOTE:

We’re a non-profit event, powered by our community.
In line with Semiofest tradition, approved speakers receive a 20% discount on tickets as appreciation for their contribution.

How submissions are assessed?

All proposals are evaluated by independent reviewers against the following published criteria. Each criterion is rated on a scale of 1 (weak) to 5 (excellent). Final selections balance reviewer scores with programme design and diversity.

  • Relevance to theme of VISCOSITY
    Does the proposal make a clear and compelling connection to the 2026 conference theme?
  • Contribution to semiotic thinking
    Does the work demonstrate or advance the use of semiotics in research or practice?
  • Originality and insight
    Does the proposal offer something new—whether in perspective, evidence, or method?
  • Engagement and format fit
    Will the session meaningfully engage participants, and does the format suit the content?
  • Clarity and structure
    Is the proposal clearly written, coherent, and well organised?
  • Feasibility and Semiofest values
    Can the proposed session be delivered as described, and does it align with Semiofest values?

Submissions are reviewed anonymously. 

Decisions are made by the programme committee, based on reviewer scores and the need for a balanced programme. Not all strong submissions can be accepted, as space is limited.