CHINA | 中国
21-25 April 2025, Beijing | 4月21–25日，北京
FOCUS GROUPS
(Im)mortality over Dinner
焦点小组
席间谈生（死）
The idea of „(Im)mortality over Dinner” refers to the well-established concept of „Death over Dinner,” initiated by Michael Hebb in 2013. These “dinners” provide a pretext to discuss the often-taboo topic of death and dying in a relaxed, inclusive, open, and respectful atmosphere. This unique gathering will be an opportunity to reflect on what a good death might be, including digital death. Would you like to have the possibility to meet online with your deceased loved one? Would you want your data to be used to create your postmortem bot for future generations? Or would you prefer to disappear from virtual space without leaving any trace? The dinner is hosted by Anja Franczak, Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, and Tomasz Siuda. The meeting will be conducted in English with simultaneous translation into Chinese on Wednesday (Focus Group 1, 23.04) and in English without translation on Friday (Focus Group 3, 25.04). The number of places is limited.
“席间谈生（死）”的想法借鉴了迈克尔·赫布（Michael Hebb）于2013提出的“席间谈死”这一成熟的概念。这些“晚餐”提供了一层缓冲，让人们在一个放松、包容、开放和相互尊重的氛围中讨论死亡和临终这个往往是禁忌的话题。这次独特的召集将提供一个机会，让大家反思一种美好的死亡，包括数字化的死亡会是什么样子。您希望有机会与已故的亲人在网络空间重逢吗？您希望您的数据被用来为后代创建您的死后机器人吗？还是说您更希望从虚拟空间消失，不留下任何痕迹？晚餐将由Anja Franczak、Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska和Tomasz Siuda主持。4月23日（周三）的焦点小组1将以英语进行，并提供中文同声传译；4月25日（周五）的焦点小组3亦将以英语进行，但不提供翻译。名额有限。
Photos by Tomasz Siuda
„(Im)mortality Over Dinner” participants’ opinions
- „This was an amazing experience.”
- „Human beings need to gather.”
- „It was a novel experience and can help you reflect on some of the most important things.”
- „Quite emotional and rational at the same time.”
- „Highly inspiring.”
- „Unique. Worth experiencing.”
- „It is important to talk about death.”
- „Inspiring and fruitful. What I learned from this – live in the moment and create good memories.”
- „I felt safe. Wish we had more time to discuss.”
- „Open and inspiring – a valuable chance to hear different thoughts.”
- „Really interesting and kind of comforting.”
- To participate, you need to attend the screening of the documentary “Eternal You”
- Choose a date for the “(Im)mortality over Dinner” (you can find the program below) and submit your application.
- If accepted, you will receive a confirmation email.
- If accepted, you will be asked to bring a photo of a close deceased person who will symbolically participate with us in the meeting.
- Casual attire is suggested—your comfort and convenience are most important!
- “(Im)mortality over Dinner” is not a support group and is not recommended for people in acute grief or who have lost a loved one in the last 6 months.
- The meeting will be recorded, and the collected material will be analysed for research. Your data will be hosted at the Cambridge University digital servers.
- Any information you share will remain anonymous. However, video recordings will be used to create a short promotional clip for the project. Unfortunately, we cannot include you in the project if you do not consent to being videotaped.
- Following the “(Im)mortality over Dinner” event, there will be an opportunity for a personalised photo session. Participation is voluntary, but we warmly encourage you to participate if you feel ready and willing. The brief session will last just a few minutes, resulting in a unique black-and-white portrait (you can view previous examples here). As a gesture of appreciation, you will receive the portrait in digital format as a gift from us.
- All online communication with you (emails, application form, post-event survey) will be held in English. However, you can choose whether you would like to attend a dinner with simultaneous translation into Chinese (available on Wednesday) or if you feel comfortable attending the event conducted in English (on Friday).
- 晚餐前，您需要参加纪录片《永恒的你》的放映活动。
- 请选择“席间谈生（死）”活动的场次（活动日程见下方）并提交申请。
- 如入选，您将收到一封确认邮件。
- 如入选，请您携带一位逝世亲友的照片，他/她将象征性地与我们一起聚会。
- 建议您着便装——舒适和方便最重要！
- “席间谈生（死）”不是一个支持小组，不建议处于急性悲伤期或在过去6个月内失去亲人者参加。
- 聚会将被录音，所收集的资料将用于研究分析。相关数据将托管在剑桥大学的数字服务器上。
- 您分享的任何信息都将保持匿名。不过，录制的视频将用于制作项目宣传短片。假如您不同意被录像，很遗憾，您将无缘此次活动。
- “席间谈生（死）”活动后，我们将为您提供一次个人定制的拍照机会。您可以自愿参加，但我们诚挚鼓励您参与。拍照过程将很简短，只需几分钟，您将获得一张独一无二的黑白肖像（您可以在这里查看之前的范例）。为了表示感谢，您将获赠电子版肖像。
- 所有与您的在线交流（电子邮件、申请表、会后调查）均将以英语进行。不过，您可以选择参加有中文同声传译的晚宴（4月23日，周三），或者以英语进行、无中文传译的晚宴（4月25日，周五）。
Monday, April 21: EXPERTS WORKSHOP (part 1)
No. 54 Yannan Garden, Peking University
5:30 PM – Screening of the film “Eternal You” (87 minutes)
8:00 PM – Welcome dinner for experts (invitations only)
Tuesday, April 22: EXPERTS WORKSHOP (part 2)
No. 54 Yannan Garden, Peking University
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Workshop activities (invitations only)
Wednesday, April 23: FOCUS GROUP 1
Yuhuazhai (Zhongguancun Branch): 178-205 Zhongguancun North Street
This focus group will be conducted in English with simultaneous translation into Chinese.
4:00 PM – Screening of the film “Eternal You” (87 minutes)
The film is available with English subtitles.
5:45 PM – (Im)mortality Over Dinner (approximately 3-4 hours)
Thursday, April 24: FOCUS GROUP 2
No. 54 Yannan Garden, Peking University
4:00 PM – Screening of the film “Eternal You” (87 minutes)
The film is available with English subtitles.
5:45 PM – (Im)mortality Over Dinner” (approximately 3-4 hours)
Friday, April 25: FOCUS GROUP 3
Yiyuan Chinese restaurant, Zhongguanyuan Global Village PKU
This focus group will be conducted in English without simultaneous translation into Chinese.
4:00 PM – Screening of the film “Eternal You” (87 minutes)
The film is available with English subtitles.
5:45 PM – (Im)mortality Over Dinner” (approximately 3-4 hours)
4月21日（星期一）：专家工作坊（上）
北京大学燕南园54号
下午5点30分 纪录片《永恒的你》放映（87分钟）
下午8点 专家欢迎晚宴
4月22日（星期二）：专家工作坊（下）
北京大学燕南园54号
上午9点—下午5点 工作坊（仅限受邀者）
4月23日（星期三）：焦点小组（1）
雨花斋（海淀区中关村北大街178号205室）
此次焦点小组将以英语进行，并提供中文同声传译。
下午4点 纪录片《永恒的你》放映（87分钟）
影片配有英文字幕。
下午5点45分 席间谈生（死）（约3—4小时）
4月24日（星期四）：焦点小组（2）
北京大学燕南园54号
下午4点 纪录片《永恒的你》放映（87分钟）
影片配有英文字幕。
下午5点45分 席间谈生（死）（约3—4小时）
4月25日（星期五）：焦点小组（3）
北京大学中关新园怡园中餐厅（北京市海淀区中关村北大街126号）
此次焦点小组将以英语进行，无中文传译。
下午4点 纪录片《永恒的你》放映（87分钟）
影片配有英文字幕。
下午5点45分 席间谈生（死）（约3—4小时）