[Bilimsel Haber] CFP: Empire and Aftermath: Core and Periphery (2/15/06; 6/4/06-6/10/06)

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

From: James Gifford <gifford@ualberta.ca>

DURRELL SCHOOL OF CORFU

CALL FOR SEMINAR PAPERS

"EMPIRE AND AFTERMATH: CORE AND PERIPHERY"

The Durrell School of Corfu will hold a seminar on the topic 'Empire and
Aftermath: Core and Periphery&#65533; at its Library and Study Centre in 
Corfu,
4-10 June 2006.


Introduction

The 400-year rule of the Ionian islands by the "Serenissima" Republic of 
Venice
and the 50-year administration of the "Septinsular Republic" of those 
islands by
Britain provide us with examples of strategic control of Mediterranean
communications by interests vested in the diplomatic and commercial 
manipulation
of trade routes and nodes of power.

Although Venice created an aristocracy in the Ionian islands (remnants 
of which
are still evident), it cannot be said to have "colonised" the islands, 
nor can
the many British people living in Corfu today claim any connection with the
previous British presence. Nevertheless, The British empire, as the most
extensive territorial and economic enterprise in the world, had many 
continuing
links with the Ionian islands. One of its greatest architects, W.E. 
Gladstone,
was "Lord High Commissioner Extraordinary" in Corfu 1858-59. General Charles
Napier, later famed for his one-word telegram to London signalling that 
he had
captured the city of Sind ("Peccavi"), was Commissioner in Cephallonia 
1822-30.

It is a debatable proposition that an imperial, rather than a colonial, 
presence
on the part of Venice and Britain had a benign effect on these islands, 
and this
may contrast with the experience of societies elsewhere which continue 
to live
in the aftermath of colonisation: colonisation is essentially invasive and
rapine, encouraging movements towards resistance and independence, whereas
imperial administration per se may not lead to such movements.

The Durrell School of Corfu's seminar will therefore concentrate on
post-imperial, rather than post-colonial, issues, although it is 
acknowledged,
expected and hoped that many contested areas will be addressed by 
participants.


Focus

The purpose of the seminar is to examine:

the relations between the centre of empire and the subjects of its rule 
at its
periphery, both during the imperial period and after 
withdrawal/independence;

discourse (or the lack of it) between core and periphery, particularly 
through
the lenses of literature;

the effects of the aftermath of empire in former imperial subjects.


The chief focus of the seminar will be on the empires which controlled the
Ionian islands from 1386 to 1864:

Venice (1386-1797)
France (Republic, 1979-99; Empire, 1807-14)
Britain (1814-64),
in addition to the brief involvement of Russia and Turkey (1799-1807).

The occupation of mainland Greece by the Ottoman empire will provide another
focus.

Other imperial powers within the region ( e.g. Austro-Hungary) may also be
considered.

Due to the fact that the Durrell family were born in India, and that 
Lawrence
Durrell wrote extensively of India, an additional focus will be provided 
by the
experience of India under, and after, British rule.


The seminar will be moderated by Neil Lazarus (Warwick University, UK), 
Gautam
Kundu (Georgia Southern University, USA) and Reed Way Dasenbrock (New Mexico
State University, USA). The component on India will enjoy the distinguished
participation of Ashis Nandy (Centre for the Study of Developing Societies,
Delhi, India).

Priority will be given to proposals relating to the imperial/post-imperial
experience of Greece and in particular of the Ionian islands.

The DSC invites submission of proposals for short papers (no more than 30
minutes) based on original research.  The seminar will be of particular 
interest
to doctoral candidates and those with post-doctoral experience.


TOPICS (the following topics are not exclusive)

interaction between imperial and indigenous cultures

the symbiosis of "coloniser" and "colonised"

the imperial subject as "other" or "different": can the "other" ever 
become "the
same"?

critiques of "orientalism"

the transition of societies under imperial rule

Eurocentrism and the rhetoric of map-making

the meaning of "subaltern"

real and imaginary perceptions of landscape from the imperial and indigenous
perspectives

"allochronism": linear time and circular or periodic time

suppression of, or revolt or collaboration by, imperial subjects

nationalist and independence/resistance movements: emphasis may be placed on
cultural nationalism and questions of emergent identity

post-imperial or post-colonial literatures, especially "varieties of 
English",
including Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean: is there
such a genre as "Commonwealth literature"?

the literature(s) of Latin America

post-imperial literature(s) re-writing the "Western canon": "the empire 
writes
back"

the role of narrative in post-imperial society: memory and re-membering

departure and arrival in the moment of freedom/independence

revisionism in post-imperial historiography



Proposals relating to India are encouraged to examine, in particular:

the Macaulay memorandum on Indian education (1835) and its aftermath

the relationship of English writers with India (especially those born in 
India,
including Rudyard Kipling and Lawrence Durrell)

the development of Indian writing in English


Proposals relating to the Ionian islands are encouraged to examine:

the launching of the 4th Crusade from Corfu (1203)

the architectural contribution to the islands of the Venetians, French and
British

the pervasiveness of Italian culture: language, cuisine, music and 
literature

the effects of British administration

enosis with Greece in 1864

is The Tempest set in Corfu?


The format of the seminar will facilitate detailed discussion of each 
paper with
members of the School's faculty, and will therefore permit no more than 
6 papers
each day. Full texts of accepted presentations must be received at the 
DSC by 1
May 2006 in electronic format in order to facilitate circulation to all
participants.

A selection of papers and the discussion they inspire will be published by
the DSC as part of its Proceedings.

In absentia presentations are not acceptable.

Proposals (2 pages maximum), together with the proposer's CV, should be 
received
at the DSC by e-mail before 15 February 2006 (durrells@otenet.gr).

The registration fee for the seminar will be 300 euros for participants (to
include costs of field classes) and 350 euros for those who wish to 
attend and
take part in the discussions, but who do not wish to present papers.

The Durrell School of Corfu will not be responsible for any costs associated
with travel or accommodation. Intending participants should consult the DSC
website (www.durrell-school-corfu.org) for details of accommodation 
available in
Corfu.

A limited number of scholarships is available: in the first instance,
contact the Administrative Director at: durrells@otenet.gr.




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