[Bilimsel Haber] CfP: International conference: Anti-Ottoman Wars and the Culture of Nobility in East Central Europe, 16th-18th Century (Leipzig, GWZO, 23-25th October, 2008)

[Onur Inal]

CFP -

International conference: Anti-Ottoman Wars and the Culture of Nobility in
East Central Europe, 16th-18th Century

Leipzig, GWZO, 23-25th October, 2008

The various experiences of being a subject, a tributary state, a competing
power or a simple neighbour of the Ottoman Empire made various impacts on
the early modern states of East Central Europe. Despite the conflicts, which
existed beyond doubt, it seems inadequate to talk about a global
confrontation between Orient and Occident in this context. On the contrary
-- forms of cultural transfer were almost inevitable to develop. The
reactions of different groups of East Central European nobility on the
Ottoman expansion can be placed on a wide scale of real fear, tactic
calculation, economic and social arrangements and pragmatic religious
tolerance, even as far as the integration of oriental features in their own
culture of representation.

The specific elements in this conflict area are researched by the
interdisciplinary project "Ottoman Orient and East Central Europe:
Comparative Studies in the Perceptions and Interactions in the Border Zones"
at Geisteswissenschaftliches Zentrum Geschichte und Kultur Ostmitteleuropas
(GWZO) in Leipzig. The conference, organised in the framework of the
project, searches the answers to the question of the ways in which the
expansion of the Ottoman Empire influenced the wide domain of East Central
European noblemen's culture.

The chronological fundaments shall on the one hand be 1521 and 1526, the
occupation of Belgrad and the battle of Mohács, both decisive moments for
the history of contacts between Europe and the Ottoman Empire. On the other,
we take the peak of the relations between the two powers -- the relief of
the besieged Vienna in 1683. As a consequence of the latter, even if the
developments in the perception of the anti-Ottoman wars were not absolutely
contrary to the earlier situation, at least they were fundamentally changed.
This led to the almost schematic "Turquerie", or to a general Orientalism in
the "long" 18th century.

The high and lower nobility, as politically involved social strata, had a
distinct estate consciousness. Nevertheless, their groups often had a
controversial relationship with the ruling dynasty, especially in cases when
they belonged to different confessions, such as in the case of Bohemia.
Therefore, the cultural contacts oscillated between an adaptation of and a
demarcation from the culture of the Habsburg Imperial court, rendering the
various noble families and their orientation as subjects of deeper research.

The concept of "noblemen's culture" covers all domains of life, as shown by
its connection to the confrontation with Ottoman expansion. The anti-Ottoman
wars produced among others specific economic results, beneficial for some
noblemen, who, for instance, used the prisoners of war as labour force on
their private estates. Besides, a whole set of new trade and industrial
opportunities opened up for them, such as that of Turkish luxury goods and
their replicas.

Another important field of impact on the noblemen's life in East Central
Europe were the opportunities for social advancement, such as related to
diplomatic services. In this case, personal experiences of travel and court
ceremonies at various courts played an important role in perception.

Apart from these, special emphasis has to be given to the variety of written
and visual sources of artistic and representative nature, which -- all
according to their character -- aimed at an instrumentalisation of the
participation in the war, a more or less strong symbolic elevation of the
participants as anti-Ottoman heroes, and made a durable impact on the
collective memory. Which were the points where travel literature, diaries,
or pamphlets followed the same direction as architectonic and figural
monuments, medallions, and depictions of battle scenes? Where did they
differ? How did they achieve their impact? What role did (oriental) music
and the theatrical staging of Ottoman culture -- or the image people had
about it -- play in Hungarian, Transylvanian, Bohemian or Polish-Lithuanian
noblemen's culture? Also, the topic of developing habits of collecting come
into the picture. Apart from the question of the respective objectives of
information, legitimation and propaganda, in particular cases the target
groups should be identified as well, in order to create a differentiated
reception history of the anti-Ottoman wars.

In order to suit the research focus of the GWZO project, the contributions
should primarily pay attention to the lands of East Central Europe. The
territories under the rule of the Habsburg monarchy, Poland-Lithuania, the
Hungarian territories under Ottoman rule, Transylvania, and the countries of
the Balkan were border zones, but at the same time they were also the most
important stages for contacts with the Ottoman Empire.

Nevertheless, contributions related to regions which stood in direct or
indirect contact with the Ottoman Empire and East Central Europe (France,
Italy), are also welcome. These should help in making all-encompassing
characteristics and cultural topoi, but also fractures inside the noblemen's
cultures of Europe transparent.

Conference languages: English and German.

Short paper abstracts (1-2 p.) should be sent until 30th May, 2008 via
e-mail to Sabine Jagodzinski M.A. or Dr. des. Robert Born.

 

Contact addresses:

Sabine Jagodzinski M.A.

Geisteswissenschaftliches Zentrum Geschichte und Kultur Ostmitteleuropas
(GWZO) an der Universität Leipzig e.V. Luppenstr. 1b D-04177 Leipzig
<http://www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo> http://www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo

Tel.: +49/0341/97 35 589

Fax: +49/0341/97 35 569

Mail: jagodzinski at rz.uni-leipzig.de

Dr. des. Robert Born

Geisteswissenschaftliches Zentrum Geschichte und Kultur Ostmitteleuropas
(GWZO) an der Universität Leipzig e.V. Luppenstr. 1b D-04177 Leipzig
<http://www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo> http://www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo

Tel.: +49/0341/97 35 582

Fax: +49/0341/97 35 569

Mail: rborn at rz.uni-leipzig.de

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