In a powerful and fascinating session titled 'Beating the Hate', interdisciplinary artist Gabi Von Seltmann and journalist-writer Uwe Von Seltmann shared their personal journey of confronting historical trauma, identity, and the transformative power of love through art. The couple delivered an inspiring talk at the festival, emphasizing the importance of understanding the past to create a more compassionate future, along with keeping in mind to spread love.

Gabi and Uwe's story is rooted in their family histories. Uwe recounted how he discovered his father’s birthplace, Poland from his father's passport which he remembers as an emotional moment. Gabi, born in Poland, spoke about her struggle to move from the victim mentality and her journey to reclaim her identity as a woman, artist as well as a global citizen. Together, they highlighted how their work on trauma and memory has not only healed their own relationship but also serves as a beacon of hope for couples and families divided by cultural or historical differences.

The session delved into the complexities of guilt, responsibility, and forgiveness. Uwe mentioned the lines of Bob Dylan, "You should always take the best from the past, leave the worst back there and go forward into the future," emphasizing that no one should feel guilty for the past, because it is everyone's  responsibility to ensure such atrocities never happen again in the future.

Gabi shared how understanding her family’s history such as her grandmother’s survival in Ukraine during the war helped her make sense of her own fears and behaviors. She also revealed how her husband’s journey from guilt to responsibility has been a source of inspiration in their shared mission to combat hate.

They mentioned how memory played an important role in their work. Gabi displayed her project 'Can You See Me', combining nature photography with images of women from her family and history to honor forgotten stories. Through this project, she hopes to get people talking about memory, identity, and the strength of women. The couple's work through films and books has consistently drawn attention to the strength of women, who have been marginalized in historical accounts.

The session concluded on a hopeful note, with Gabi and Uwe expressing their joy at being in India, particularly in Kerala, where they were touched by the warmth and smiles of the people. They emphasized that spreading love and understanding, rather than hate, is the key to healing points in today’s world. Their message resonated deeply with the audience, serving as a reminder that, even while the scars of history are remaining, the power of love, art, and self-reflection can help us beat hate and build a more inclusive world.