The Vega Symposium 2025
Professor Marisol de la Cadena at the University of California Davies will be awarded the SSAG Medal in Gold by the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography (SSAG). Marisol is a Peruvian anthropologist who has made important contributions to research on indigenous peoples in South America. On the Vega Day, April 24, the Swedish Royal Family will present the medal, followed by an open lecture.
Marisol de la Cadena’s theories have inspired anthropologists all over the world. In addition to her academic work, she has also been involved in social justice issues in Peru.
– Marisol’s research mainly concerns indigenous peoples’ rights to be with their land in South America but is also relevant in the Global North. In northern Sweden and Sapmi, industrial investments are once again being made with arguments about the green transition. It can be compared with the colonialism of the past, says Madeleine Bonow, Associate Professor of Geography at Södertörn University and chair of SSAG.
Marisol is known for her ethnographic research on how indigenous peoples in the Andes interact with the environment and surroundings. The knowledge and attitudes of indigenous peoples challenge Western perceptions about the relationship between nature and culture.
– Both anthropology and geography are moving away from the idea that humans and nature are two separate categories. In the past, anthropologists were the colonial avant-garde. They traveled to different places to investigate ‘others’ to offer colonial powers ideas about how to ‘better them’. Nowadays, anthropology is a field of study that can challenge the dominant Western views of the world. We do this by learning from non-Western people, who refuse the capitalist organization and destruction of the world, says Professor Marisol de la Cadena.
The Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography awards the Medal every year. It takes place on the anniversary of the arrival of the ship Vega in Stockholm on April 24, 1880. Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld’s Vega Expedition was the first in the world to sail through the Northeast Passage in the Arctic Ocean between Europe and Asia. The expedition is considered to be among the foremost Swedish scientific successes. King Oskar II financed the expedition together with SSAG. As SSAG’s patron, it is still the King who awards the Medal.
The Vega Symposium 2025 will take place on April 24 at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden. In an open lecture, Marisol will present her research to the public, together with other invited researchers. The event is free and open to all.
Contact Person
Madeleine Bonow, Associate Professor in Geography at Södertörn University and chair of SSAG.
E-mail: madeleine.bonow@sh.se
Telephone: +46 8-608 47 08
The Vega Day 2025 (incl. programme)
Poster Vega Day 2025 – for printing or sharing social media (link to PDF)
The SSAG supports the International Geographical Union’s statement on the crisis in Ukraine
The International Geographical Union notes with dismay the alarming situation in Ukraine and finds the invasion of a sovereign democratic nation by Russian forces outrageous and unacceptable. These actions are undermining global security and stability and have led to deplorable human suffering and loss of life.
In the interests of peace and stability in international relations, we call for an end to the hostilities and for a resolution that respects the sovereignty of Ukraine and all its people.
The International Geographical Union stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and its community of geographers, along with those in Russia who are courageously manifesting their rejection of war. We wish the citizens of Ukraine great strength in resisting and overcoming this shocking crisis.
We note that scientists and scientific journalists in Russia have issued the following open letter on the situation:
https://www.eureporter.co/world/russia/2022/02/24/an-open-letter-from-russian-scientists-and-science-journalists-against-the-war-with-ukraine/
Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography (SSAG)
- SSAG publishes the scientific journals Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography, Geografiska Annaler, Series B: Human Geography and kritisk etnografi – Swedish Journal of Anthropology, and the yearbook Ymer – an anthology in Swedish on a current theme of research.
- SSAG supports geographical and anthropological research with scholarships.
- SSAG arranges gatherings with lectures and the scientific symposium the Vega Day with international speakers.
- SSAG hands out medals.
Anyone who is interested in geography or anthropology is welcome to become a member.