Conference: "Staging the Past – Themed Environments in Transcultural Perspective" Date: April 23-25, 2009 Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg i.Br.

At the turn of the 21st century, popular representations of history are taking on new forms, and reaching wider audiences, than ever before: The search for usable pasts is branching out into active appropriations of history such as performance, live-action role play, and retro chic fashion. Emphasising the socio-cultural functions of popular historical knowledge, the research group History in Popular Cultures of Knowledge (Historische Lebenswelten in populären Wissenskulturen der Gegenwart) aims to develop an interdisciplinary theory that will help to describe and interpret current popularisations of histories on the basis of case studies.

Among the phenomena discussed are themed environments that attempt to present histories and cultural traditions for consumption to paying customers: Theme parks attract many visitors, open air museums, re-enactments, and so-called mediaeval markets and music groups draw crowds. As globalised forms of cultural display, these phenomena are singularly effective and continue to puzzle historians, ethnographers, cultural and media analysts alike. Drawing on themed environments across the continents, the conference focuses on the questions of how these representations bypass, are different from, or even contradict traditional as well as scientific modes of disseminating historical knowledge. What do these theatrical formations of 'living histories' and representations of domestic as well as foreign cultural histories mean in their specific social contexts?

We are trying to bring together specialists from different fields and backgrounds. To stimulate an inspiring exchange, we are inviting theorists as well as practitioners and – preferably – colleagues combining experience in both theory and practice.

450-word developed abstracts should reach the organisers by October 31st, 2008. If accepted, the completed papers should be sent to the organisers by March 1st, 2009, so that participants and colleagues can actually read them before attending the conference. Presentation time will be limited to 20 mins. and there will be a discussion time of 25 mins. after each presentation. We are also planning a visit to at least one of the historical theme parks in the vicinity.

• No conference fee.
• Accommodation: A number of rooms will be reserved in hotels.
• Info for presenters: FOR 875 is able to pay for accommodation, and for travel inside Germany.

Contact: Carolyn Oesterle DFG Forschergruppe 875: Historische Lebenswelten in populären Wissenskulturen der Gegenwart Belfortstr. 16 D - 79085 Freiburg 0049-761-203-9347 0049-761-203-9353 carolyn.oesterle@anglistik.uni-freiburg.de portal.uni-freiburg.de

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