Writing the History of the Second World War in Europe: a State of Affairs

Writing the History of the Second World War in Europe: a State of Affairs

Veranstalter
SOMA-CEGES Centre for Historical Research and Documentation on War and Contemporary Society
Veranstaltungsort
Centre for Historical Research and Documentation on War and Contemporary Society
Ort
Brussels
Land
Belgium
Vom - Bis
18.12.2008 -
Von
Vanhaelewyn, Mathieu

The Second World War has not ceased to be a source of inspiration for many historians in Europe. New generations, institutions and angles of analysis nurture a continuously evolving historiography. The changes and expansion of the post-Cold War European frame have left their marks on Second World War historiography in Europe during the last decades. This symposium therefore intends to draw up a state of affairs by providing a forum for dialogue.

Through a selection of familiar (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands) and lesser-known (Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, former Yugoslavia) cases, the symposium takes a closer look at the Second World War historiography in Europe. Five main questions will be at the centre of its quest:
1 Who writes history?
2 Which shifts in perspective can be noticed?
3 What evolution is there to be seen with regard to the sources used?
4 What has been the influence of public debate on historiography?
5 What was the role of public authorities?
For the SOMA-CEGES, which was preceded by the Centre for Research and Studies on the History of the Second World War, founded in 1969, this symposium is not only an opportunity for introspection, self-analysis and comparison. It will also be the starting point of its 40th anniversary year.

Programm

09.00 Registration and coffee
09.30 Welcome
Rudi Van Doorslaer (SOMA-CEGES)
09.40 Keynote Speech
Pieter Lagrou (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

10.00 Belgium
Bruno De Wever (Universiteit Gent)
10.25 The Netherlands
Hans Blom (Universiteit van Amsterdam / Netherlands Institute for War Documentation)
10.50 Discussion
Moderator: Rudi Van Doorslaer
11.15 Coffee break

11.30 Germany
Jörg Echternkamp (Militärgeschichtliches Forschungsamt)
11.55 Ireland
Brian Girvin (University of Glasgow)
12.20 Sweden
Johan Östling (Lunds universitet)
12.45 Discussion
Moderator: Rudi Van Doorslaer

13.10 Lunch break

14.30 Former Yugoslavia
Heike Karge (Georg-Eckert Institut für Internationale Schulbuchforschung)
14.55 Greece
Polymeris Voglis (University of Thessaly)
15.20 Discussion
Moderator: Chantal Kesteloot (SOMA-CEGES)
15.35 Coffee break

15.50 Poland
Piotr M. Majewski (University of Warsaw)
16.15 Latvia
Eva-Clarita Onken (University of Tartu)
16.40 Discussion
Moderator: Chantal Kesteloot

17.00 Conclusions
Peter Romijn (Universiteit van Amsterdam / Netherlands Institute for War Documentation)

Kontakt

Information and Registration:
SOMA-CEGES Centre for Historical Research and Documentation on War and Contemporary Society
29 Square de l’Aviation
1070 Brussels
Belgium

Mathieu Vanhaelewyn
Mathieu.vanhaelewyn@cegesoma.be
Tel: +32(0)2 556 92 28
http://www.cegesoma.be

http://www.ceges40soma.eu