Remembering Dictatorship: State Socialist Pasts in Post-Socialist Presents
Convenor
Dr Sara Jones, Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow, School of Modern Languages
The goal of this research initiative is to identify and analyse the interactions and tensions between cultural and communicative memory, artistic production, social practice, and political processes in post-socialist states.
A clearer understanding of the role of memories of state socialism in cognate disciplines will enhance individual research projects through fostering a greater awareness of the interdependence of these fields. It is anticipated that the workshops will promote future collaboration, including the development of Research Council funding bids, by highlighting key similarities between the disciplines and areas under examination, as well as the particularities of the specific field of study.
In recent years, the legacy of socialist dictatorship and its impact on the post-socialist present have received considerable attention in a variety of disciplines across the University. However, the majority of this work has taken place in isolation, within one disciplinary area or focusing on a single geographical location. This workshop series aims to initiate dialogue between researchers working in diverse fields and to work towards an interdisciplinary approach to the impact of memories of state socialist pasts on post-socialist presents.
In order to ensure truly interdisciplinary dialogue, the workshops will be structured around short position papers given by academics and research students working in different disciplines and/or with a different geographical focus. This will be followed by an open forum on key themes and issues to arise from the position papers.
All events will take place in the IAS Verdon-Smith room in Royal Fort House.
Workshop 1: How do we remember? Wednesday 16 March 2011, 2 - 5 pm
The concept of ‘memory’ is subject to different definitions in the various disciplines involved in the project. This workshop aims to facilitate dialogue and understanding between the disciplines and to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the role of memory in post-socialist societies.
Confirmed Speakers: Dr Debbie Pinfold (German); Dr Josie McLellan (History); Ms Katharina Buck (Sociology, Politics and International Studies)
Workshop 2: What do we remember? Wednesday 25 May 2011, 2 - 5 pm
One of the key issues in discussing the state socialist past in post-socialist contexts is the question of terminology: both the terms used to describe the past, as well as those used to describe the processes of remembering. This workshop seeks to highlight the issues of terminology within and across disciplinary boundaries.
Confirmed Speakers: Dr Rajendra Chitnis (Russian and Czech); Ms Nadine Nowroth (German, Trinity College Dublin) and Ms Claire Hyland (European Studies, University of Bath)
Workshop 3: When do we remember? Monday 11 July 2011, 2 - 5 pm
This workshop seeks to explore the dates that are remembered in various national contexts and the significance of these in cultural products, museums, commemorations, political processes and historical analyses.
Confirmed Speakers: Dr. James Mark (History, University of Exeter); Dr Mark Allinson (School of Modern Languages); Dr Sara Jones (School of Modern Languages)
For more information and to book a place, please contact Sara Jones (sara.jones@bristol.ac.uk; ext: 89011).