Europe can be approached from various angles: as a geographical, political, and economic historical entity; as an embodiment of cultural diversity rooted in national, regional, and local identities, histories, and languages; and as a subject of yearning or a cultural construct. Contemporary transnational and post-colonial viewpoints perceive Europe as a dynamic and complex web of wider interactions and exchanges, highlighting the influences of intertwined and intersecting, yet simultaneously contested and competing historical narratives, memories, and identities.
These encounters in the past and present have played a significant role in the historical imagination and contemporary formation of Europe, as they shaped distinct practices, methodologies, and traditions in the disciplinary landscape of folklore studies, European ethnology, and social and cultural anthropology across the continent.
In this conference, we aim to investigate these two interconnected domains in a dialogue between historical perceptions and current reflections about Europe vis-a -vis disciplinary de-colonization approaches. Firstly, departing from the narratives related to Europe and the concept of 'European-ness' in various contexts and throughout history, we endeavour to spotlight the divisions, borders, and interactions among different disciplinary traditions of folklore studies and ethnology in Europe, positioning them both as themes and context for research. Secondly, we are interested in exploring the disciplinary histories of Europe, and the ways in which situated narratives and practices play into unmaking and remaking Europe as well as how the idea and imaginary of “Europe” has been used to define the borders and interactions among our disciplines.
We are particularly interested in understanding how narratives about Europe are influenced by, and in turn, produce intricate transnational connections that transcend disciplinary, geographical, and imaginative boundaries and open up new avenues for thinking about Europe’s past, present, and future. This includes understanding transgenerational and transcultural frameworks in which European-ness is produced and experienced. While the main focus of the conference is on folklore studies, European ethnology, and cultural and social anthropology, we welcome scholars from related disciplines, e.g. history, geography, and literature to join this conference.
How to apply
The paper proposals should not exceed 250 words and include the paper title as well as the name of the presenter, affiliation, and an e-mail address. In case funding is needed from SIEF, we also need a motivation letter, no more than one page, stating the current employment status; the presenter’s academic stages, other possible funding available to the presenter, and how SIEF funding might facilitate the physical participation of the presenter. For those who cannot be in Marburg, remote (on-line) participation is possible—both for the conference and the WG meeting.
Submit your proposal at: haca.marburg.2024@gmail.com
extended deadline: March 22, 2024, at 23:59 (CET)
decisions by: early-mid April