Meanings and experiences

The theme builds on Estonian semiotician Juri Lotmann’s work on cultural semiotics.

Juri Lotman’s work, particularly his exploration of cultural semiotics, laid a foundation for understanding the complex interplay between signs, symbols, and cultural systems. His theories are deeply intertwined with Estonia’s rich cultural and historical context.

The country’s rapid digital transformation and strong emphasis on e-governance reflect an evolution of cultural codes that Lotman might have found fascinating. For example, Estonia’s innovative approach to digital identity systems can be seen as a modern cultural fabric, where the interactions between citizens and digital services form a new semiotic system and generate meaning.

Like Estonia, Human-Computer Interaction also has a rich cultural and historical context and thus constitutes a dynamic field for applying Lotman’s semiotic theories.

With Estonia and HCI both situated in the confluence of interconnected and interdependent cultural spaces, INTERACT 2027 aims to promote discussions and reflections about the rich and complex web of interactions and meanings that shape our experiences.