EUSTORY Alumni Seminar in Spain about Prejudices and Stereotypes
Against the background of the ongoing discussion in European media about differentness and stereotypes regarding the Muslim world, the topic of the upcoming EUSTORY Alumni Seminar is: “Images of the Other: Constructing and de-constructing of Stereotypes”. 100 years ago, Europeans have been affected by stereotypes and prejudices that were strengthened in the context of the First World War. The “Other” has changed but our methods of understanding it, as a society, have not. Eighteen young Europeans from Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the Ukraine have recently been selected to take part in this EUSTORY Alumni Seminar, which is going to take place from 22 - 29 September 2013 in Ronda (Spain).
During the First World War the battlefields were not the only place where the battles took place. The appearance of mass media allowed for states and societies to form pre-conceived images and ideas about other societies and states. Despite the recent re-emergence of stereotypes in public debates in times of the European crisis, Europe is nowadays dominated by unity and peace among its neighbours. Therefore, European societies have turned elsewhere for stereotypes and have rediscovered a “new other”: The Muslim world. Many questions arise in this light: Was there a difference in the imagery, when Europeans fought against each other? And what kind of similarities can we find in the images Europe draws of the Muslim world? What patterns arise in stereotyping “the other”? Is it dangerous to simplify such a complex religious culture? Do the stereotypes we have condition our relationship with the Muslim world?
These are some of the issues and questions the 18 young European participants from the EUSTORY Network will try to address during this alumni seminar. The group will meet in Ronda, Andalucía (Spain), a region of Europe particularly shaped by the Islam. Spain’s historical relationship and interaction with the Muslim world is the fruit of a complex story of violence and coexistence. The EUSTORY alumni will engage in discussions about how stereotypes form societies and are formed by social entities; they will also debate how stereotypes and prejudices may influence Europe’s view of the Muslim world. During the seminar, experts on popular imagery, Spanish colonialism and the Muslim world will be invited to address the participants.
The seminar is organised in cooperation with Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda. Like in the previous years the seminar can be followed on our EUSTORY-blog: http://eustory.wordpress.com/