CONFERENCEShared Stages, Entangled Pasts. Performance Research Across the Baltic–German Region
Funding: This project of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic Germany.
Implementation Period: 01.06.2026–15.11.2026.
Budget: 4,893.20 EUR
Lead Partner: University of Latvia
Project Implementation Unit (University of Latvia): Institute of Latvian History, Faculty of Humanities (HZF LVI)
Project Partners: Free University of Berlin (Berlīnes Brīvā Universitāte), Nordic Summer University (Ziemeļvalstu Vasaras universitāte)
Project Manager: Dr.hist. Ilze Boldāne-Zeļenka
Project Administrator: Inta Briede
Project Description
This project examines how 19th- and 20th-century artistic performances, scientific expositions, and entertainment shows shaped ethnic and national identities in the Baltic and German cultural spheres. The region is considered a historically interconnected space with common approaches to presenting and interpreting human difference.
The research investigates how "performing bodies" as artistic media, scientific evidence, or public spectacles reflected and reshaped perceptions of identity. It emphasizes live ethnographic exhibitions, traveling shows, modernist dance, and colonial heritage.
Project Objective
The project aims to investigate the interaction between artistic practice and scientific discourse in the Baltic-German region. It analyzes how historical academic and cultural exchanges shaped understandings of embodiment, identity, and concepts such as indigeneity, Jewishness, Africanness, and Baltic-German identity (Baltvāciskums).
Key Activities & Expected Results
July 24–31 (Saulkrasti): Delivery of a 7-day research program within the annual session of the Nordic Summer University, featuring daily lectures and seminars.
July 27 (Saulkrasti, "Minhauzena Unda"): A public lecture delivered by Project Manager Dr. hist. Ilze Boldāne-Zeļenka.
July–November: Development and drafting of a new funding proposal by the project team to secure future research continuation.
September–November: Preparation and writing of scientific publications.
November: Final compilation, open-access publication, and distribution of the research paper collection.