Labnet: CFP: Memory, history, morality: the socialist past today - Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K. 09/08

[labnet at lists.labourhistory.net]

[Cross-posted fro mH-Soz-u-Kult.AB]

From:    Sabine Kittel <kittel at w4w.de>

University of Newcastle upon Tyne
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology
Dr. Anselma Gallinat
Dr. Sabine Kittel
11.09.2008-12.09.2008, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
Deadline: 29.02.2008

Memory, history, morality: the socialist past today


11-12th September 2008, Newcastle University (UK)

Memory and history, it has been argued, are closely connected to
identity, both communal and individual. Memory and history are therefore
also made in the present according to present demands. Yet, the past
sometimes also presses into the present, or, as Bergson writes 'the past
that is gnawing on present and future'. 

In the post-socialist context representations and memories of the past
come about in often tense political climates; more often than not the
representations themselves are political. Against the backdrop of the
transformation that deeply affected the values and norms that govern how
individuals can portray themselves, how the past is remembered and
talked about becomes also a deeply moral question. 

The conference seeks to explore such trajectories in a variety of
post-socialist societies. It is part of an ethnographic project on the
'Socialist Past in Eastern Germany' which takes an anthropological
approach (the project is funded by the ESRC, Economic and Social
Research Council, UK). The conference is intended to allow for
comparison of and exchange about how the socialist past is
managed/re-worked/silenced/ re-membered at collective, individual and
inter-personal levels in different post-socialist contexts. It is
envisioned that the event may give rise to a network of scholars from
East and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union with such research
interests. 

The organisers are encouraging in particular scholars working 'at home'
in East- and central Europe and the former Soviet Union to apply.
Contributions taking an anthropological and ethnographic approach, and
those in related disciplines, are also particularly welcome. Funding to
assist with travel and accommodation costs is available. 

Topics may include but are not limited to:

.	life-stories/biographies of 'victims', 'perpetrators', 'ordinary
citizens' (and/or those in-between)
.	critical explorations of categories such as 'ordinary citizens',
'victims' or 'perpetrators'
.	contributions dealing with the legacies of socialism (history
writing; memorials, state security police files, etc.)
.	public discourse and debates about the past 
.	cultures of memory; changes to memory culture 
.	memories and/or uses of the past in everyday lives; and/or
politically
.	history-writing; social memory
.	morality; politics

Please send abstracts of up to 400 words to: anselma.gallinat at ncl.ac.uk
Deadline: 29th of February 2008. 

The project can be found at http://the-socialist-past.ncl.ac.uk

Conference organisers are: 

Dr. Anselma Gallinat
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology 
Newcastle University
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU
anselma.gallinat at ncl.ac.uk

Dr. Sabine Kittel
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology 
Newcastle University
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU
sabine.kittel at ncl.ac.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Sabine Kittel
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology 


sabine.kittel at ncl.ac.uk

Homepage <http://the-socialist-past.ncl.ac.uk>

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