LUMe, Laboratorio Universitario Metropolitano (Metropolitan University Laboratory), is a student collective gathering participants from Università degli Studi di Milano and Milano-Bicocca, Civiche Scuole di Cinema, Musica eTeatro, from Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi and Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, pooling, fostering and promoting the exchange of young intellectual and political resources from a variety of backgrounds. 

Active on the Milanese cultural and political scene since 2015, LUMe is currently caring for, looking after and giving back to Milan’s citizenry its third site of occupation – the former Magazzino del Verde Pubblico at 24, Viale Vittorio Veneto (former public gardens’ maintenance shed, unused and neglected for over a century, property of the Municipality of Milan). From here, LUMe reaches out to the surrounding neighbourhood of Porta Venezia and to the wider Milanese context with a poignant, political and independent cultural offer which includes and features live music, political debates and talks, book presentations, film and documentary screenings, art and photography and exhibitions.

As students, workers, musicians and artists we believe in the political and cultural value of artistic cooperation and co-creation and we ensure that LUMe is a fertile ground for these to thrive. LUMe lives through collaboration and mutualism – our practices aim at prompting debates, critical thinking and interpersonal growth. The collective nature is evolving and empathetic, based on solidarity and inclusion. 

Whilst all stories and experiences are respected and listened to, LUMe’s activity especially sheds light over the difficulties and challenges rising from increasingly precarious working conditions for young independent members of our communities, producing the necessary conditions to envision an alternative way to live culture and politics, grounded in a shared antifascist, antiracist and antisexist commitment. All LUMe’s projects are self-funded, made possible by the efforts and dedication of those involved. As such, our projects refuse to be subjected to dynamics aimed at profits. Instead, LUMe’s role on the Milanese scene is to be a place where debate, alternative practices and projects can occur, in opposition to the conventional gateways to the cultural industry as well as to the condition of university students.

more info: https://www.facebook.com/LUMe.occupato/