International Research Group -
Europe east of the Elbe in the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages east of the Elbe
Sclavania, amplissima Germaniae provintia, Adam of Bremen wrote at the end of the 11th
century. Furthermore he described the Sclavania as frugibus opulentissima. And Europe
east of the Elbe was fertile indeed, not least for cultural and historical studies. For a
long time this region fascinated researchers from various disciplines and for many reasons.
This fascination produced numerous transdisciplinary studies and methodological innovations.
Nonetheless, it was affected also by ideological misuse.
The considered region is seen - in the tradition of Jenö Szücs1- as a historical
space with common structural, societal and cultural features. Additionally new approaches like
Moritz Csáky's2 notions of cultural transfer and communication
(although initially used for later periods) find their place.
An international research association
The success of international exhibitions and cross-border research projects in recent years
demonstrated a new public interest for East Central Europe as a cultural and historical agent.
In the age of the extension of the European Union one can hardly ignore the socio-political
context of these efforts. They are undoubtedly related to the search of a new common European
identity. Communication between the scholars of various disciplines and of different nations
gives way to new paradigms and destabilises inherited views of history. But the complexity of
reciprocal relations between contemporary and mediaeval perceptions on the one hand and of the
particularisation of research in numerous national and regional institutions on the other, often
obstruct the approach to the historical analysis of this region. In particular this applies to
young researchers. To enable an easy access to unexpected, exciting new questions, teamwork is
urgently needed.
Consequently the research group Gentes trans Albiam (GTA) wants to encourage communication and
cooperation between researchers. The focus is on the Slavonic gentes situated in the area between
the Elbe, the Baltic Sea and the Danube. Furthermore their relations to the Occident and the Orient
in the early, high and late Middle Ages are of special interest. As a first step, the research
group will support networking by publishing information about its members outlining the research
interests and further relevant details in the Web. Another feature will be the arrangement of
annual meetings. GTA is especially intended to facilitate exchanges between researchers of the
younger generation. With a specified consideration of new research, the group closes the gap
between institutionalised research associations, research centers and universities.
The GTA meetings
Meetings of the Gentes trans Albiam association have already been held (see left column on the website). In a workshop-like atmosphere, there is time to talk openly about research experiences and problems of any kind. Thus GTA wants to promote communication between disciplines on the basis of discussion and mutual understanding. Special attention is given to an international reflection on the Middle Ages.
In a workshop-like atmosphere, there will be time to talk openly about
research experiences and problems of any kind. Thus GTA wants to promote communication between
disciplines on the basis of discussion and mutual understanding. Special attention will be given
to an international reflection on the Middle Ages. The GTA meetings are organized according to a common pattern. The number of participants is restricted to less than twenty so as to assure a collegial atmosphere and to be able to focus on a precise issue. The papers are set around a common topic and a common theoretical approach. The main objective of this arrangement is to study a historical phenomenon on a basis that renders possible to observe and discuss comparisons, relations and differences in mediaeval societies. A special attention is brought to the explanation of scholarly paradigms, to the understanding of traditions in specific disciplines as well as to the modalities of interdisciplinary cooperation.
In order to make international communication easier, participants are usually asked to send in advance a summary of their papers. As much time is planned for the papers themselves as for the question and answer periods after them. Furthermore, the results of the meetings are published in the form of a compilation of articles being prepared taking into account the papers and the discussions.
The Facebook group
Since 2009, the association also has a forum for the interactive exchange of information in the form of a Facebook group (www.facebook.com).
We invite everyone interested to contact Anne Klammt and Sébastien Rossignol
Anne Klammt M.A.
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Seminar für Ur- und Frühgeschichte
aklammtatgwdg.de
Dr. Sébastien Rossignol
York University
Department of History
rossignoatyorku.ca
1. Jenö Szücs, Die drei historischen Regionen Europas, Frankfurt/Main,
1990.
2. Moritz Csáky, Kultur - Identität - Differenz. Wien und Zentraleuropa in der
Moderne, Innsbruck, 2004.