Memory and Identity in Europe: Presence and Future
European Remembrance Symposium 2021
26–28 October 2021, Tallinn
The 9th edition of the European Remembrance Symposium entitled "Memory and Identity in Europe: Presence and Future" takes place at the Tallinn Creative Hub between 26 and 28 October.
The aim of the 9th European Remembrance Symposium is to discuss the role of history and memory in creating contemporary European identity. During this year’s event, special attention will be given to the mission, programme and best practices of institutions dealing with 20th-century European history.
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Venue: Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
Languages: English & Estonian, simultaneous translation
Programme
9th European Remembrance Symposium
26/10/2021 Tuesday
13:00-14:00
Registration
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
14:30-16:30
Opening session – European identity today: historical roots and present debates
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
This session is to discuss multi-layered perceptions of ‘European identity’ shaped by historical memory implications. The discussion centres around different approaches of remembrance policies and their agents fostering historical awareness in Europe and thus reflecting on the following questions: Is the post-war division into communist and capitalist blocs still relevant and resonating in different macro-regional remembrance cultures rooted in common historical experiences? Which role is the European Union playing now in creating a common identity in Europe?
16:30-17:00
Coffee break
17:00-18:00
Turbo presentations
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
During turbo presentations participants showcase their organisations or projects to the Symposium audience. Each speaker has up to 2 minutes. Max. 20 speakers and 1 moderator.
18:00-20:00
Reception dinner
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
27/10/2021 Wednesday
10:00-11:30
First panel discussion – Remembrance in action: everyday challenges
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
This session aims to reflect on the impact of project activities in the field of history on the formation of a European remembrance culture. Representatives of various cultural and remembrance institutions discuss and share their experiences while addressing a range of issues such as: How do contemporary social campaigns, cultural and educational projects as well as documentaries raise and influence awareness of totalitarian regimes? In what way can historical and cultural projects foster reconciliation processes?
11:30-12:00
Coffee break
12:00-14:00
Case studies: project practices
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
During this session, coordinators of educational and social projects in the field of history share best practice experiences on three different project formats:
1) Dealing with difficult past
2) Oral history as an inspiration
3) Use of new media/technologies
1) Dealing with difficult past
2) Oral history as an inspiration
3) Use of new media/technologies
14:00-14:45
Lunch and coffee break
15:00-17:00/17:30
Cultural visits
Tallinn, different venues
Possible options:
1) Memorial to Estonia’s Victims of Communism and Estonian Historical Museum
2) Patarei Prison exhibition area ‘Communism is Prison’
3) Historical guided sightseeing tour of Tallinn’s Old Town (a walking tour) including visiting the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and the KGB Prison Cells.
1) Memorial to Estonia’s Victims of Communism and Estonian Historical Museum
2) Patarei Prison exhibition area ‘Communism is Prison’
3) Historical guided sightseeing tour of Tallinn’s Old Town (a walking tour) including visiting the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and the KGB Prison Cells.
18:00-19:30
Second discussion panel – 1989 revisited
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
This panel is devoted to recent research on various political, cultural and economic changes related to the year 1989 in East-Central Europe. How has the memory of the transformation changed over the last 30 years? Have these changes triggered the recent research interest in this topic? What are the regional differences? The discussion participants will include authors of books devoted to the 1989 transformation.
28/10/2021 Thursday
09:15-10:00
Registration
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
10:00-11:30
Third panel discussion – Struggles with the past: memory and politics
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
This session addresses issues of controversy regarding a common remembrance culture in Europe characterised by varying experiences and subjective appraisals: In what terms do the differing perceptions nation states as well as collective groups in Eastern and Western Europe have of totalitarian regimes resound in a politicisation of memory? Are there any differences in Holocaust remembrance in Western and Eastern Europe? What are the reasons for the popularity of communism in various countries, irrespective of its crimes?
11:30-12:00
Coffee break
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
12:00-14:00
Round table discussion: The future of European historical debates
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
This discussion aims to assess the current state of a common European remembrance culture in order to reflect on its prospects with regard to possible future historical debates. Therefore, the session addresses possible scenarios of upcoming conflicts rooted in differing local, regional, national as well as generational perspectives on historical experiences.
14:00
Closing remarks
Tallinn Creative Hub, Cauldron Hall
Partners
Main organiser
Main partners
