We are happy to pass along this call for papers for a conference in Warsaw, June 10, 2014
CfP: New Research on Memory in Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Belarus)
Date and venue: Warsaw, June 10, 2014
Deadline for proposals: January 31, 2014
Social and biographical memory became of interest for wide circles of researchers – sociologists, but also anthropologists, scholars from culture studies and political sciences. Memory in Eastern Europe very often equals trauma because of its experience of 20th century two totalitarianisms, genocide, displacement and border changes, while research on memory requires particular skills and sensitivity. What links Ukraine and Belarus in this context is several decades of disruption of the collective memory mechanisms and discontinuance of the identity, caused by the totalitarian political system, blocking transfer of memory. After collapse of the Soviet Union memory in both countries was suddenly released; new, alternative visions of the past, new national heroes, new victims, and – in result – new conflicts and “memory wars” appeared.
Aim of the workshop is to discuss specificity of the collective memory and research of that memory in these two countries. We want to ask questions not only about what does the contemporary memory in Ukraine and Belarus look like, but also how it is researched. We want to gather scholars whose original empirical research focuses on various aspects of memory in Ukraine and Belarus. We invite proposals from junior scholars and Ph.D. students from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries, who want to discuss their research projects and/or their preliminary results in an interdisciplinary academic environment. Participants will be asked to send the draft version of the paper in advance to enable the discussants prepare their comments. Workshop will encourage open discussion on the accepted papers. Thus, our aim is to bring together new research on memory and to discuss specificity of the Eastern European post-totalitarian memory, but also to reflect on methodology and to integrate scholars from various countries.
Working languages of the workshop: Polish and English (no simultaneous interpreting).
Please indicate which language will you prefer to use during your presentation.
Please send abstract of your proposal (no more than 250 words) and short CV to: Anna Wylegała, awylegala@ifispan.waw.pl by January 31, 2014.
Researchers from Ukraine and Belarus may apply for a travel grant to cover their transport and accommodation costs.
2 comments on “Call for papers: New Research on Memory in Eastern Europe conference”
I would be interested in attending although I do not know yet if I will be in Warsaw on that day.
My play The Dybbuk is set in a ghetto in 1942 and covers areas of memory, identity and cultural heritage. It has been successful in London, New York, France and Germany. This is a small touring production which could certainly accompany such a conference. Please be in touch if you are interested in exploring this as a related event. Papers could also be given by Dr Thomas Kampe who is the choreographer and designer and Julia Pascal who is the writer and director.