The Institute for German Studies (IGS) at the University of Birmingham is proud to announce a symposium on Wednesday 14 March 2018, entitled
“1968 and All That: Legacies of a Revolution”.
The symposium will interrogate the events and the memory of “1968” from a variety of German and transnational perspectives, including the extent to which it was an historical turning point or milestone, how far it has been regarded as
a utopian or dystopian moment in political discourse and cultural memory, and whether it was a catalyst of more violent protest. Other questions tackled will include what kind of turning point, break, or change of direction the events of 1968 were thought
to represent at the time, and whether “1968” can be viewed as a cause or a symptom of change.
As this IGS symposium will be a 50th anniversary event, it also represents an opportunity to discuss why, how and by/for whom “1968” has been remembered since, as well as how and why anniversaries and “significant dates” are commemorated.
Confirmed speakers:
Gerrit-Jan Berendse (Cardiff), ‘Kafka, Power and the Prague Spring: 1968 in the GDR’
Clare Bielby (York), ‘1968 and its queer legacies’
Ingo Cornils (Leeds), ‘Romantic Relapse or Modern Myth? Reflections on the Construction of “1968” in Germany’
Mererid Puw Davies (UCL), ‘1968, Textual and Sexual Politics in Helke Sander’s film “Der subjektive Faktor” (1980-81)’
Chris Homewood (Leeds), ‘”High sein, frei sein, aber muss Terror dabei sein?” Gerd Koenen’s notion of the "red decade" and recent German film’
Katharina Karcher (Bristol), ‘Rudi Dutschke: Icon and Villain of 1968, Cauliflower Poet and Anti-authoritarian Father’
Nicholas Martin (Birmingham), ‘“This is the Auschwitz generation, and there’s no arguing with them!”: The disputed ideological parentage of the Red Army Faction’
The symposium will take place from 12.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday 14 March 2018.
While the IGS is unfortunately not able to cover travel or accommodation expenses, there is no charge to attend the symposium, which will include a buffet lunch beforehand, tea/coffee breaks, and a reception afterwards.
Please register your intention to attend with Dr Nicholas Martin ([log in to unmask]).
Places are limited to 25 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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Dr Nicholas Martin
Director of the Institute for German Studies
College of Arts and Law / College of Social Sciences
University of Birmingham
GB-Birmingham B15 2TT