[Commlist] CFP - Media and cultural life in German-occupied Western Europe (1940-1945)

Media and cultural life in German-occupied Western Europe (1940-1945)
Call for papers for a symposium in Brussels (7-8 November 2022)​

During the Second World War Nazi Germany occupied the majority of 
Western Europe, but the mode of occupation differed substantially from 
place to place. Some areas were simply annexed to the Reich, while 
others were governed by German military authorities. Others still were 
administered by German and / or local civilian authorities. In all cases 
the Germans reauthorized local cultural production in order to create a 
semblance of normalcy for civilians and to further their own political 
and economic interests. Newspapers and radio broadcasts reappeared. 
Cinemas, theatres and concert halls reopened their doors. Media and 
cultural personnel resumed their activities under widely varying degrees 
of German control. While the press, radiobroadcasting and newsreel 
production were often embedded directly into the propaganda apparatus of 
the Third Reich - with the goal of normalizing occupation and 
cultivating sympathy for Germany - contact with local media personnel 
gave rise to various forms of negotiation, conflict, compromise, and 
even resistance. Meanwhile, operating primarily from Great Britain, the 
Allies mobilized film, radio , and print media (especially pamphlets) to 
influence Europe’s occupied territories.

Though research on the cultural, political, social, and economic 
dimensions of propaganda in Nazi-occupied territories has a rich 
academic tradition, it is far from exhausted. There is still much 
research to be done in local, national, and especially transnational 
perspectives. There is also still significant potential for 
interdisciplinary investigation. This symposium will contribute to the 
development of new interdisciplinary and transnational research on media 
and cultural life in German-occupied Europe. Specific attention will be 
paid to the opportunities and challenges offered by the digitisation of 
archival collections, printed newspapers and audio-visual sources.

Building on the symposium “Cultures of Spectacle in German-occupied 
Belgium” held in Brussels in March 2020, this new symposium has a 
broader geographical scope (Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the 
Netherlands) and invites contributions from faculty and PhD students 
working on media policy and cultures in German-occupied countries during 
the Second World War (1939-1945). Contributions on Allied propaganda 
targeting occupied territories are also welcome. The symposium will take 
place on November 7 and 8, 2022. The symposium will be hosted in 
Brussels by the CegeSoma, the fourth operational direction of the State 
Archives and the Belgian centre of expertise for the history of 20th 
century conflicts. (The conference venue is within walking distance of 
Brussels South Train Station.) Registration will be free; foods and 
drinks will also be provided but participants must cover their own 
lodging costs and make their own arrangements.

The working languages are English, French, German and Dutch.

If interested, kindly use this online form to submit an abstract and a 
short biography. Kindly submit your proposal no later than July 1. The 
advisory committee will review the abstracts, select a number of 
proposals and make a draft programme. All selected researchers will be 
notified before August 1.

https://www.cegesoma.be/en/news/media-and-cultural-life-german-occupied-western-europe-1940-1945 
​

For more information, contact (louis.fortemps /at/ kuleuven.be) 
and (roel.vandewinkel /at/ kuleuven.be)
---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ commlist.org)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------