IFZO Jahresrückblick 2024

JOINT LECTURE SERIES "PLANETARY WATERS - SEA FUTURES"

Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO); DFG International Research Training Group Baltic Peripeties – Narratives of Reformations, Revolutions and Catastrophes; Research Centre for Manors in the Baltic Sea Region; Interdisciplinary Centre for Gender Studies (IZfG).

YOUNG PEOPLE NETWORK FOR BALTICNESS NETWORK MEETING

The partners of the YoPeNET, Zatoka Foundation, IFZO at University of Greifswald, Södertörn University, Tallinn University, Beladania and the lead partner University of Gdańsk met at Gdańsk to organise the upcoming CBSS Summer University 2025

CBSS SRPING SCHOOL 2024 UNCOMFORTABLE HERITAGE IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION AND BEYOND: FROM NEGATION TO RE-INTERPRETATION

Jointly organised Spring School together with the Universities of Szczecin and Tallinn at the MOBI Kulice.

WORKSHOP "THE SENSES AND THE SEA. EXPLORING MARITIME REMEMBRANCE THROUGH SENSUAL EXPERIENCE"

The workshop explored new interdisciplinary approaches to understand the history and perception of oceans and seas. The focus is to change the perspective of examining oceans and seas from being solely seen as a medium of mobility across transoceanic surfaces to being perceived as a space.

WORKSHOP "MULTIRESISTENTE BAKTERIEN IN DER OSTSEE"

Recent data shows that the Baltic Sea is also affected by multi-resistant bacteria and antibiotic residues. To raise awareness of the problem and mobilise the relevant stakeholders to take action, a stakeholder workshop brought together various experts and representatives from politics, science and associations to develop long-term solutions and incorporate them into the political discourse.

WORKSHOP "OPERA WHERE IT DOESEN'T EXIST. VON DER PERIPHERIE IN DIE ZUKUNFT"

The cultural practice of opera has been alive for over 400 years – and yet it is at a tipping point: the aim of the workshop was to examine the cultural form of opera from a new point of view, where opera does not normally exist: in rural areas and here in a place that is deeply influenced by nature, the beach.

BLOCKVERANSTALTUNG: THE (AB)USE OF MEDIEVAL PAST. EXTREMISTISCHE UND NATIONALISTISCHE MITTELALTER-NUTZUNG

FRAGMENTED "EVOLUTIONS"? SHIFTS IN THE MEMORY OF THE HOLOCAUST IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION, 1989-2023

The experiences of the Holocaust form an integral part of the shared heritage in the Baltic Sea region. The broad transfer into society, however, has a varied history. Awareness of Jewish history, the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust and the significance of the Holocaust for the development of culture, society and politics in the region are shaped by museums, one key topic of this conference.

CBSS SUMMER UNIVERSITY 2024 - "BALTICNESS IN TRANSITION: EXPLORING IDENTITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION" (TALLINN; 15-21 JULY 2024)

The vulnerability of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) through war, ecological crisis and transformation has been discussed against the backdrop of concepts like regional identity and resilience. 20 doctoral, postdoctoral and high school fellows from all over the region participated in this 7-day event.

PUBLICATION BY ARTISOM SIDARCHUCK (IFZO FELLOW) AND PIERRE-SIMON PICOT (IFZO INTERN): BETWEEN EUROPEANISM AND ATLANTICISM: FRENCH MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE BALTIC REGION

The Baltic Sea Region (BSR) was historically a low priority in French foreign policy until the Russian annexation of Crimea and invasion of Donbas in 2014. Balancing between Atlanticist commitments and a push for European Strategic Autonomy (ESA), France’s new strategy reflects its dual approach to regional security.

PANEL AT THE 16th CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR URBAN HISTORY (EAUH)

• Conference: Cities at Boundaries. 16th Conference of European Association of Urban History (EAUH) 2024.
• Panel: Where the land meets the sea. Coastal towns and cities as nodes of mediation in a global era.
• Vassilis Kitsos (Innovations and Policy Mobilities in the Rural Baltic Sea Region) and Antje Kempe (Shared Heritage).
• University of Ostrava. 

IFZO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024 FRAGMENTED TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION: THE ROLE OF INNOVATIONS AND PIONEERS OF CHANGE

At our annual conference in 2024, we addressed diverse aspects of fragmented transformation processes in the Baltic Sea Region with a special focus on the role of innovations and pioneers of change: Innovations refer to the implementation of new ideas or technologies that imply transformation and change, which may aim to improve the societal welfare and wellbeing.

Conference Report

11th BALTIC SEA YOUTH DIALOGUE - CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue brings together youth from across the region, who are interested in Baltic Sea Region politics, society and history of regional cooperation. IFZO had the pleasure to participate in the dialogue by introducing the cultural heritage of the Hanseatic League to young stakeholders from across the region.

DIGITAL EXHIBITION: VIKING GOLD. TREASURE POLITICS SINCE 1800

Whose heritage?

The digital exhibition presents the results of a joint project between the Stralsund Museum and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research at Greifswald University (“Fragmented transformations”, sub-project “Viking Gold: Treasure Finds as Translocal Heritage”, 2021–25), led by Professor Isabelle Dolezalek and Charlotte Wenke.

LECTURE SERIES "EXHIBITING TRANSFORMATIVE YEARS"

Joint Programme: Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO); DFG International Research Training Group Baltic Peripeties – Narratives of Reformations, Revolutions and Catastrophes