Thoughts are shared at a Philosophical Café

When Gull-Marie Sandström moved back to Mariestad, it felt like coming home. But as a retiree, she now has a lot of free time to fill. How do you find a sense of belonging? Gull-Marie’s answer to that question is simple - dare to try new things. Like joining a study circle focused on philosophical discussions.

Gull-Marie Sandström picks up one of the floral cups on the table, chooses a tea bag, and fills it with hot water. She settles into one of the cozy yellow armchairs and waits for the rest of the participants in Medborgarskolan’s study circle “Philosophical Café” to gather around the low table.

We are in K. Skaraborg’s premises in central Mariestad. Large display windows reveal that this used to be a shop space. Nowadays, it is a non-profit cultural center—a venue for workshops, concerts, art exhibitions, meetings, conferences, and anything else the association’s members come up with.

Tonight, deep conversations are on the agenda.

“We meet every other week and discuss based on different themes. Today we’re going to talk about freedom. We always start by going around the group, and everyone gets a couple of minutes to describe their thoughts on the theme. After that, it’s open for questions, and we develop each other’s reasoning,” says Gull-Marie.

“I want to try new things”

Gull-Marie has recently moved back to Mariestad—moved home, as she describes it.

“I’m not originally from Skaraborg, but I moved here when I was around thirty. I already had two children at the time, and while living here I had two more. Maybe it’s because my children grew up here that I think of Mariestad as home, more than the place where I grew up.”

After Gull-Marie retired, she moved to Öland, where she and her family had previously spent their summers. But when Gull-Marie and her husband separated, she chose to move back to Skaraborg.

As a retiree in the city where she once worked, she now takes the opportunity to explore everything available for those who have the time and enjoy staying active.

“I think there’s a wide range of things to do - it’s just about being open and willing to try something new. I usually check websites and the notice board at the library. For me, it’s important not to just sit at home; I want to try new things and meet people.”

Gull-Marie’s advice for anyone new to a city is simple: dare to try something new.

“A while ago, I saw that Mariestad’s Finnish association was hosting a rock concert. I don’t speak any Finnish and have no connection to Finland, but I thought it might be interesting. So I went there on my own. Even though I didn’t know anyone, I met nice people to talk to - it turned into a really fun evening!”

Philosophical Café – a place to share thoughts

Gull-Marie has been part of the group that meets every other Monday to discuss philosophy since this past spring. She says she always looks forward to the gatherings.

“They are respectful conversations, even though we in the group can approach a topic from very different perspectives. Everyone is here because they enjoy thinking and challenging their ideas. Having deep conversations with people you don’t know very well is very rewarding - but quite unusual in today’s society.”

This evening, the group is a bit smaller than usual, but that just gives participants more time to delve into each other’s reasoning. Once everyone has had a chance to share their own reflections, the conversation begins to flow. Personal experiences are mixed with philosophical reasoning. Lines of thought are challenged and developed as each participant builds on the others’ ideas.

But even though the discussions are at times deep and serious, laughter fills the room. There are no right or wrong answers here, nor any desire to persuade others or change their views.

Suddenly, an hour has passed, and the leader Anna, somewhat reluctantly, has to start wrapping up the conversation. Before the participants get up and leave the sofa area, they decide on the theme for the next meeting in two weeks: determinism.

This text has been translated with the help of AI.