18.05.2026 “Lecture in Spanish: El Suma Qamaña o ‘Vivir Bien’” – EDGES Lecture on 20 May 2026

As part of the EDGES Lecture Series, we are pleased to welcome María Luisa Soux (Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia) to Philipps-Universität Marburg.

In her lecture “El Suma Qamaña o ‘Vivir Bien’: entre la historia, el pensamiento de los pueblos indígenas y el discurso oficial del Estado Plurinacional a inicios del siglo XXI”, she explores the historical foundations and political transformations of the concept of Suma Qamaña, a central philosophical principle of Andean — particularly Aymara — thought.

Originally presented as an alternative to consumerism and capitalist notions of well-being, the concept of “Vivir Bien” emphasized reciprocity, complementarity, balance with the environment, and Indigenous ways of understanding social life.

The lecture examines the historical development of this concept, its political appropriation within the Bolivian Plurinational State, and the contemporary tensions surrounding its meaning and relevance for Indigenous peoples today.

Date: 20 May 2026
Time: 11:15–12:30
Location: Philipps-Universität Marburg, Meeting Room SKA

The lecture will be held in Spanish and is open to all interested participants.