This is a question that the producers and artists of the Von Krahl Theatre in Estonia have asked.
They lived through the meltdown of the Russian empire. That is how Estonia achieved independence in August 1991. So they are keenly aware of the fragility of empires and able to anticipate the challenges that the American Empire now faces.
Their hope? To inspire a conversation from which a new, richer story for mankind can emerge.
As the financial crisis unfolds, the question “Is There Life After Capitalism?” is one that many people are asking.
Von Krahl has invited entrepreneuers, community planners, philosophers and media leaders from around the world to help them engage the Estonian people and — through Estonian TV and the Internet — an international audience.
To view some of the presentations to-date, including Ron Hopkins on Transition Towns , see http://vimeo.com/vonkrahl.
Tonight I had dinner with Von Krahl founder Peeter Jalakas, producer Elo-Liis Parmas, consultant Henri Laupmaa, and Paul Jay, founder of The Real News who will also be speaking tomorrow. The conversation ranged from community currencies to the nature of living in Canada and Estonia, as both are bordered by a large, unpredictable neighbor.
Dinner was at The Garden, one of the Von Krahl restaurants. The Garden proved that these artists/entreprenerus are as extraordinary at producing culinary creations as leading world-changing conversations.
Is there life after capitalism? What do you think?