European Remembrance Symposium titled ‘Memory and Identity in Europe: Present and Future’ will bring together approximately 200 participants from all over the world to the Estonian capital on 26–28 October. The main organiser of the Symposium is the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity and this year’s co-organiser is the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory.

This year’s Symposium is dedicated to the role of 20th century history and historical memory in shaping contemporary European identity. A special place in the debates will be given to founding declarations, programmes and best practices of institutions dealing with 20th century European history.  

This year, the event will be held in hybrid format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Online streaming will be available for the general public on YouTube (starts at 14.10 on 26 October).

Among the speakers are Constanze Itzel, director of House of European History (Brussels); Linda Kaljundi, history professor at the Estonian Academy of Arts; Dr Łukasz Kamiński, president of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience; Dr Kristina Ranki, director of Mannerheim Museum (Helsinki), and others.

“Every year, the Symposium takes place in a different European city. This time we will meet in Tallinn, after a break caused by the pandemic. We want to build a common European culture of remembrance among experts and practitioners who deal with 20th century history on a daily basis. Since its inception in 2012, the Symposium has become an important platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, as well as an opportunity to discuss doubts and confront different perspectives,” said Rafał Rogulski, Director of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity.

“The Symposium is one of the largest platforms in Europe for discussions on 20th century history. It is an event where different interpretations of Europe’s recent history collide, but it is also a place where mutual understanding and common values are nevertheless sought. It is essential that Europe maintains a dialogue over 20th century history. Tallinn is a fitting host for the Remembrance Symposium, as it is a place that experienced three totalitarian occupations in the last century, followed by a complex recovery from the trauma. Estonia has learnt from its recent history, and those lessons are considered an integral part of our decisions today, as well as part our European identity,” said Sergei Metlev, Board Member of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory.

Estonia has an observer status at the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity, and the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory represents Estonia at the Network.

The Symposium programme is available at: https://enrs.eu/symposium2021-programme.

The three-day event includes not only panel discussions but also a number of practical and networking events. During a case studies session, speakers will share their experiences of conducting innovative projects, while those taking part in ‘turbo presentations’ will be given only 90 seconds to present their institutions or find partners for new initiatives. The programme also includes visits to museums and memorials in Tallinn, as well cultural events, such as a concert by an Estonian electro-musician, singer and violinist Maarja Nuut.

Sergei Metlev
+ 372 53 35 96 39
sergei.metlev@mnemosyne.ee
www.mnemosyne.ee/en