Andreas Huyssen’s observation of a “memory boom of unprecedented proportions” in the post-wall era has not lost its pertinence today; on the contrary, the 21st century continues to be marked by a preoccupation with discourses surrounding memory in the academic, political, cultural and public spheres. This is most certainly the case in Europe, where efforts to foster a greater sense of purpose for the project of European integration are often accompanied by a turn to memory and commemorative practices.

Alongside such institutional calls for a common European memory, academic memory studies have stressed the need to consider the transnational dimensions of cultural memory. As the nation loses its credence as the sole framework for collective memory and identity in this latest phase of globalization, mass migration and new media, scholars have drawn increasing attention to the ways in which memories operate multidirectionally (Rothberg) within as well as outside of and between nations.

This conference seeks to take stock of such transnational dimensions of European memory by investigating not only how memory discourses circulate on intra-European, but also on extra-European levels.

Usable Pasts and Futurities- Poster

When? May 22-23, 2014

Where? 956 Kaneff Tower, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto

Maren Lorenz from the German Department of the University of Toronto is going to give a talk about French and German enlightened thinkers and their view on eugenics and a perfect society. Unlike the common notion of eugenics as a phenomenon of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, concepts of “human breeding” were developed in Western Europe since the middle of the 18th century. Based on case studies and tracts dealing with “medical police” and “medical hygiene”, scientific and economic experts discussed problems such as the hereditary transmission of disabilities and diseases, and the origins of so-called “degenerate” peoples in the scientific and enlightened journals. In the forefront of the French Revolution especially French and German physicians and bureaucrats developed concrete plans for a strictly state controlled marriage policy and “female stud farms” in the manner of livestock breeders to enhance not only the “quantity” but the “quality” of their countries’ population.

When? March 6, 2:30.

Where? Kaneff Tower 901.

For more information see Prof Lorenz’ homepage

Stefan Hammerl is going to give a talk about Austria’s war participation, Nazi Propaganda and the coming to terms with the past. He is currently serving as Holocaust Memorial Intern at the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre in Toronto. His internship is part of the Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service, which offers an independent alternative to Austria’s compulsory military service. In his interactive presentation, Hammerl will discuss current memory discourses in Austria, as well as issues of xenophobia, immigration and anti-Semitism.

When? February, 26, 2:30 – 3:30.

Where? At the CCGES (Kaneff Tower, 7th floor)

Marie-Anne Coninsx is the Ambassador of the European Union to Canada.

She began her posting as the European Union’s top diplomat in Canada  in September 2013, after serving four years as Ambassador of the  European Union to Mexico. She has been an official of the European Union since 1984. Ambassador Coninsx has extensive experience dealing with multilateral issues, having served as Minister-Counsellor at the  Delegation of the European Union in New York (US) from 1996 to 2000 and as Minister-Counsellor at the Delegation of the European Union in Geneva (CH) from 2000 to 2004. Ambassador Coninsx studied law at Gent University in Belgium and did postgraduate studies specializing in international law and European law respectively at Cambridge University (UK) and at European University Centre in Nancy (France).

The event is free and open to the public.

When? Thursday February 13, 10:00-11:15

Where? Senate Chamber, York Hall C123

Glendon campus (2275 Bayview Avenue)