The workshop aims to explore the living worlds and underworlds of state socialist cities, focusing on gendering and queering current research on the urban history of Eastern Europe under state socialism. It draws inspiration from the intricate dynamics of "living worlds" and "underworlds" within the urban landscape of state socialist cities in Eastern Europe. Stemming from exploring urban spaces as manifestations of societal power structures, the concept of "underworlds" goes beyond the physical confines beneath the city's surface, encapsulating hidden facets of urban life. Reflecting prevailing values and ideas regarding societal organization, these "underworlds" serve as fields of power marked by the indelible signs of social inequalities and the majority's dominance.
This nuanced understanding becomes the foundation for probing into the gendered and queer dimensions of state socialist cities, offering insight into the intricate complexities of urban life during this era. As we delve into these hidden realms, we aim to unravel the interplay between those in control and those under control, shedding light on the obscured facets of urban life and exploring unique strategies urban actors develop in adapting public spaces to their goals. Through this collective exploration, we seek to contribute significantly to the evolving narrative of Eastern European urban history.
Venue: Prague, Czech Republic
Submission Deadline: February 18, 2024
The workshop is organized by the German Historical Institute Warsaw (Branch offfice Prague) in cooperation with the Faculty of Humanities of the Charles University as well as the Institute for Contemporary History (Czech Academy of Sciences Prague) and the Society for Queer Memory in Prague.
