WBZ

Forced Migrations: History – Literature – Memory 

International Conference 

Willy Brandt Center for German and European Studies, University of Wrocław 

Wrocław, 21st-24th February 2024 

Forced migrations, particularly those linked to war, nationalism, and totalitarianism, represent one of the most significant phenomena in the history of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Recent history remains a subject of intense debate, while also serving as an impetus for actions aimed at fostering a culture of dialogue and a critical examination of the past. However, research on migration and related topics, including memory and commemorative practices, as well as the social, cultural, or political perceptions of migrants and migration, still presents challenges for scholars. 

These studies are crucial for the advancement of a democratic society, in which a reasoned approach to the past is a fundamental aspect of progress. Furthermore, such research can provide valuable support for educational initiatives, particularly in light of the current geopolitical landscape and the impending waves of migration resulting not only from conflicts but also from factors such as poverty and the climate crisis. The subject of migration remains in the forefront of public consciousness, demanding a comprehensive approach to the issues that arise in the interactions between migrants and host societies. 

The conference aims to comprehensively present the issue of forced migrations in the 20th and 21st centuries, assess this phenomenon, and reflect on contemporary approaches to it.

The proposed topics include: 

• National or regional policies toward forced migrants 
• Strategies for integrating migrants into new societies 
• Issues related to genocide in the context of forced migrations 
• Concentration camps, refugee camps, and labor camps as places of memory 
• The war in Ukraine and its impact on the social structure of Europe 
• The theme of the "other" in literature and culture 
• The perception of Europe by newcomers from other cultural circles 
• Writers creating in languages other than their native one 
• Foreign language teaching in the process of integration into the host country's society 
• Contemporary European cinema addressing migration issues 
• Memory and commemoration of forced migration 
• Identity issues of migrants 
• A critical comparison of research on forced migration 
• An assessment of previous migration research within specific fields. 

We invite scholars representing various academic disciplines, including history, cultural studies, literary studies, translation studies, anthropology, political science, and others, to participate in the conference. We also encourage young researchers to collaborate. 

The conference will be conducted in Polish, German, and English. 

Please submit abstracts to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 15th January 2024. 

Notification of abstract acceptance will be provided by 20th January 2024. 

The conference is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science, and therefore, participants are exempt from conference fees. We anticipate that the conference will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation. 

Organizer

Willy Brandt Center for German and European Studies, University of Wrocław 

Organizing Committee 

• Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Ruchniewicz (History) 
• Dr. Joanna Małgorzata Banachowicz (Literature) 
• Dr. Anna Kurpiel (Memory) 

Co-organizers of the conference 

• Institut für Migrationsforschung und Interkulturelle Studien, Universität Osnabrück (Niemcy) 
• Research Center for the History of Transformations (RECET), Universität Wien (Austria) 
• Sorbonne-Irice, Paris (Francja) 
• UFR Arts, Lettres et Langues, Université de Lorraine, Metz (Francja) 
• Department of Didactics of Literature at the Institute of German Philology, University of Wrocław (Poland) 

• The conference is held under the honorary patronage of the Representation of the European Commission in Poland. 

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