Big Ideas When dreams speak truth — exploring the relationship between our realities and the subconscious
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Aug 26, 2025 Join Peter Boyle, a poet and translator with nine collections to his name, alongside Mireille Juchau, a novel and essay author, and Šime Knežević, a poet and playwright. They delve into how dreams reflect deep societal fears, especially during oppressive regimes. Mireille sheds light on the historical significance of dreams during totalitarianism, while Šime reads evocative poetry that bridges dreams and reality. They reveal how subconscious visions can inspire creativity and articulate suppressed emotions, providing a profound connection between dreams and our lived experience.
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Dreams As Historical Records
- Dreams can act as historical documents reflecting political regimes and social conditions rather than just personal wishes.
- Mireille Juchau highlights Charlotte Barat's collection as evidence of authoritarianism invading sleep and collective unconscious.
Barat's Secret Dream Archive
- Charlotte Barat secretly collected about 300 neighbours' dreams in Berlin from 1933–39 and smuggled them out of Germany.
- Barat hid the records in her bookshelves and later published a selection after reaching America.
War Changes Dream Content
- Modern conflicts feed distinct dream imagery tied to contemporary technology and place names.
- Dreams from Ukraine recorded drones, messaging networks and disappearing cities as part of their collective memory.
