Description
First International Workshop on Romani Asymmetrical Dependencies (RAD) - Entanglements of the Roma within the European socio-political context. Past and Present
The first RAD International Workshop is dedicated to exploring asymmetrical relations and understanding co-dependencies between the Romani populations and host societies of the European continent, in the long period between the 14th century and the present day. In utilizing the formula 'Romani Asymmetrical Dependencies,' the workshop intends to examine (in)effective mechanisms of social incorporation of the Roma, with a special interest and attention to the assessment and interpretation of their influence in local cultures as well as their role in the formation of collective identities (social, religious, political, national). This workshop wants to offer the opportunity to debate about crucial aspects related to both past and present asymmetrical dependencies all across European regions, which might have been brought about by antagonistic relations and reactions of social segments in the continent towards Romani groups since their arrival in late Middle Ages until today.
Both Romani and non-Romani scholars and researchers are invited to contribute to the understanding and comprehension of Romani entanglements within the European territory with papers dedicated to, although not exclusively, the following main matters:
1- Genealogies of "antigypsyism:" Sources, causes and socio-political circumstances influencing the creation of stereotypes and the European imaginary on the Roma.
2 - Towards a lexical conciliation: Historical construction and problematization of the meanings of terms associated to the Roma ("gypsy", "gitano", "Zigeuner", "tsigan", "traveler", "pariah" ...), with a particular focus on the implications, as well as the agreements and disagreements, in regards to the common usage and the handling of such terms today.
3 - Socio-economic dependencies in history: Traditional occupations and labor skills; internal organization of communities; involvements and contributions to local or national economies; social and material co-dependencies.
4 - Institutional relations: Forms of recognition, conflicts and negotiations between Roma communities or individuals with local laws and states; religious and/or other cultural practices and their social reception; Romani institutions of internal regulation and/or recognition; changes over time.
5 - Imagining other worlds: Romani political horizons; cultural and political forms of activism and of social participation; intra-ethnic dissensions: transnational fraternities, solidarities and factions; multiculturalism, citizenship and human rights; the place of the Roma within Europe.
The RAD International Workshop is organized by doctoral students Susana Macías Pascua (BCDSS) and Cristina Mocanu (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi/BCDSS). Interested speakers should submit the title of their paper and an abstract of about 300-400 words, with a brief biographical information directly to smaciasp[ at ]uni-bonn.de. Paper presentations are expected to be 20-25 minutes long and will be followed by 10-15 minutes of questions and discussions.There will be a chance to address outstanding matters of the speakers' own interest in a final discussion panel. The language of the workshop will be English. Accepted papers will be announced by the end of February. Accommodation for selected speakers will be covered and travel expenses are subject of reimbursement.
