Modern states of Central and Eastern Europe have written strong narratives of national identities based on the idea of cultural and ethnic homogeneity. Formerly part of the Habsburg, Russian and Ottoman Empires, they sought detachment from the Imperial past even if their history and identity were decisively shaped by it. This session aims to reflect on how the material heritage of marginalised groups has been appropriated, neglected and destroyed, but also on how it survived despite the official policies. It further focuses on the art historiography and on what was written in and written out of official narratives. Proposals are invited on any type of material heritage and writings that shed light on the survival and neglect of the minority’s heritage in Central, Eastern Europe and the neighbouring regions. Potential questions to be addressed are: How have new narratives of national art and architecture excluded other narratives? How were the diverse artistic traditions of the Roma communities racialised as less-developed foreign cultures throughout Eastern Europe, from Czechia to Greece? What happened under new nation-states to the cultural diversity of majority-Muslim regions such as Dobrogea and Crimea or with the Ottoman heritage of Yugoslavia? How was the material heritage of various “non-official” communities preserved and promoted despite states’ desires?
Contact Information
Cosmin Tudor Mine
Contact Email
cosmin.minea@phil.muni.cz
URL
https://caa.confex.com/caa/2026/webprogrampreliminary/Session16745.html
Publishing in the Archives Profession 