Let’s be ‘United by Ideas’...

This year’s TEDx Brayford Pool: United by Ideas brought a powerful mix of inspiring speakers, thought-provoking performances, and conversations that highlighted how the strength of ideas can unite us in the face of global challenges. 

Featuring a collaboration between TEDx Brayford Pool and TEDx Kyiv and hosted at the Lincoln Arts Centre in November 2024, the event spanned two days and featured an impressive lineup of speakers, workshops and talks.

At Cursor, we’ve been proud sponsors of TEDx Brayford Pool events for the past several years because we believe in the power of collaboration and community; ‘United by Ideas’ is a celebration of exactly that. Through my role as Operations Manager at Cursor, I was lucky enough to attend on the Sunday; here are some key moments from an inspiring and enriching day.

Speaker highlights

Olga Ovcharuk: Ukrainian Folk Songs as Cultural Diplomacy

Professor Olga Ovcharuk, a visiting professor at Lincoln University and a leading anthropologist from Ukraine, delivered a profound talk on the role of Ukrainian folk songs in cultural diplomacy. She emphasised how these songs are more than just musical traditions—they are living, breathing expressions of history and identity, especially in the context of ongoing Russian aggression.

Key insight
Olga discussed the therapeutic potential of Ukrainian folk songs, particularly in supporting the mental health of children and youth affected by war. The example of "Carol of the Bells"—a Ukrainian folk song that has become a global Christmas classic—was a powerful reminder of the enduring influence of cultural expressions.

Selma Ari De Rossi: Identity Through Art and Performance

Zimbabwean-born actress and writer, Selma Ari De Rossi, shared her personal journey of exploring identity through playwriting. Her doctoral research on the impact of British colonialism on Zimbabwean identity through theatre explored how cultural narratives evolve and how theatre can be a vehicle for social change. Selma’s talk was a poignant reminder of the complexity of identity, and the ways art can bridge divides.

Inspiring quote
“It should be us versus the problem, not us versus them.”

Yuliia Liubchenko: Creativity Amidst Crisis

Artist and creative practitioner Yuliia Liubchenko spoke about the surge of digital art created in response to the war in Ukraine. Yuliia shared how artists have adapted to the challenges of wartime, using digital mediums to create works that are harder to destroy and easier to share globally.

The rise of digital art as a form of expression during wartime is a creative outlet and a form of resistance, with artists continuing to create despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.

Why not check out these Ukrainian artists on social media?

Yevhenii Popesku (Facebook: @popeskuE)

Kriss Tsvenger (Instagram: @tsvenger_kriss)

The Boondog Balladeers: A Musical Journey Through History

The Lincoln-based folk band, The Boondog Balladeers, took the stage with heartfelt performances of local stories through songs and storytelling. Their music and tales brought to life historical events, such as a fire in Wellingborough where a local pub owner used beer to save a church and its inhabitants. 

But the song about a town just down the road from me particularly struck a chord; it explored Grantham’s historic role as a stopover for royalty. The song imagined the experiences of kings and queens resting in Grantham on their travels northward, and was a touching reminder of the rich history of this small local town.

Watch now:

The Boondog Balladeers at TEDX Brayford Pool, performing their storytelling song inspired by Grantham

Jane Davydiuk: Operational Excellence in Crisis

As a fractional COO and operational expert, Jane Davydiuk’s talk was a masterclass in innovation and leadership. She shared how she helped create an operational system via Notion with the assistance of over 200 volunteers during the early stages of the war in Ukraine, offering practical solutions to address the needs of those affected by the crisis.

Key insight
Jane’s positive energy and data-driven approach showed the importance of adaptability and technology in crisis management, ensuring that support systems were available in real-time to assist those in need.

Yuliia Lohvynenko: Biotechnology for a Sustainable Future

Yuliia Lohvynenko, a senior regulatory affairs specialist in biotechnology, presented on the cutting-edge potential of bacteriophage-based technologies. Yuliia’s work focuses on environmentally sustainable solutions to improve human and animal health through biotechnology.

Did you know?
Bacteriophages—viruses that target bacteria—could be the key to fighting infections in a world where antibiotics are gradually becoming less and less effective.

Hidden Digital Footprints: The Environmental Impact of the Digital World

A fascinating breakout session led by cinematographer Jack Shelbourn and coder and educator Stuart Clark which delved into the often overlooked environmental consequences of our digital lives. They discussed how data storage, AI, and the growing demand for higher-quality content are all contributing to an expanding carbon footprint. 

I’ll definitely be revisiting my notes from this talk to provoke further research, insight and discussion amongst the Cursor team.

Key takeaways

• The Power of Art and Culture
  From Ukrainian folk songs to puppetry, the event underscored the importance of creative expressions as tools for healing, cultural diplomacy, and resistance in the face of war.
  
  

• Resilience in Crisis
  Whether it was Jane Davydiuk’s operational solutions or Yuliia Liubchenko’s focus on digital art, the event showed how creativity and innovation can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.
  
  

• Sustainability in Every Sector
  From biotechnology to digital media, the event highlighted the urgent need for sustainability in diverse fields, with experts pushing for greener solutions in healthcare, technology, and the arts.

  
  

Finally…

Ukrainian soldier and puppeteer Valerii Dzekh explained how he combines his role as a soldier with his passion for art therapy. As a member of Ukraine’s Cultural Forces Unit, Valerii creates therapeutic puppet performances for soldiers, helping them process trauma and find moments of joy in the midst of war.

Valerii’s work highlights how art, especially puppetry, can be a powerful form of emotional diplomacy, fostering understanding, healing, and resilience among people affected by conflict. I’d like to leave you with a short glimpse of his performance, delivered via video from Warsaw, Poland. This simple and touching presentation examined an interaction between an angel and a human, as they find themselves in the midst of the turbulent winds of existence…

Watch now:

Valerii Dzekh's puppetry performance at TEDX Brayford Pool