On 9 November 2019, it will be exactly 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The collapse of this symbol of a world divided into two rival blocs was followed by a series of major geopolitical changes: German reunification (20 September 1990); the end of communism and democratic transitions in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, resulting in the eastward enlargement of the European Union; the break-up of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the Commonwealth of Independent States (8 December 1991); the end of the Cold War and the new approach to Euro-Atlantic security; the wars in Yugoslavia (1991-2001), which redrew the map of Europe; and a new world order based on multilateralism.
To reflect on these events which changed the course of history in the 20th century and discuss how they resonate with the world today, the Europe Direct Information Centre at the University of Luxembourg (EDIC), the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), the Pierre Werner Institute and their partners – the Historical Archives of the European Union (Florence), the Berlin Wall Foundation, the German Embassy, the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg and Radio 100,7– are inviting the public to: Forum Z – “From one wall to another… Connected histor(y/ies)”
This will be an opportunity to bring together experts from different horizons for a round table to discuss the changing concept of “walls” in history. The aim will be to examine the challenges raised by their respective disciplines in analysing the past and the present, preserving memory and transferring knowledge, and to explore the potential of new methodologies in today’s interdisciplinary, digital era.
The opening address will be given by Prof.Dr Jens Kreisel, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Luxembourg. The speakers will be
- the architect Tatiana Fabeck (Luxembourg),
- Dr Andrey Grachev, political scientist and former adviser to President Mikhail Gorbachev (Russia),
- Dr Gerhard Sälter, Head of the Research and Documentation Department at the Berlin Wall Foundation (Germany),
- Dr Dieter Schlenker, Director of the Historical Archives of the European Union (Florence, Italy).
Moderation: Prof. Benoît Majerus, Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH).
Tuesday, 19 November 2019
18.30 - 20.30
Neimënster, Salle Robert Krieps
28, rue Münster
L-2160 Luxembourg-Grund
Languages: French and German (with simultaneous translation).
