Washington, D.C. — When: 26-27-28 October 2000
Where: International Conference in Paris
Who: Organized by the " Centre d'Etudes Africaines Américaines " - Diaspora Université Paris 7 Denis Diderot
The conference will bring together a number of scholars, critics, historians, writers and artists in various panels and workshops to discuss the question : to what extent can the concept of diaspora be considered as a useful tool, or help develop new perspectives for theoretical reflection and literary or artistic creation ? Although the conference will largely focus on the African American diaspora, other diasporas could be considered from a comparative perspective.
Our discussions will be organized around the following points : the term diaspora itself and the acceptions it has received in the last decades. It is most often associated with the notions of : 1) exile, homeland and expatriation, 2) impossible or deferred return, dispersal and "reunification," multiple displacements, 3) borders, contacts and intersections, 4) interpretations, knowledge and translation. These words, literally or metaphorically used, first evoke movement, place and space (collective, international, multiethnic, multicultural or multilingual). They also refer to specific historical moments fraught with projects and desires, painful or exalting experiences, emotions, and memories and silences.>
All these complex and often contradictory dimensions can be explored through the analysis of significant diasporic sites and figures, as well as through the various models (such as "the Black Atlantic") that have been proposed by historical research. We will also consider these movements as they occurred between societies, languages and cultures, between the New and the Old Worlds (Europe and Africa), or between the Islands (the Caribbean) and the American Continents (Latin-American or Anglo-American).
By raising the question of how to think, express or write the diaspora, with what words and what images, we will also examine the resources, collections and archives, the iconography that are available today and the new technologies through which they are made accessible. This may lead us to wonder how these means, these deep mutations and innovations in publishing or exhibition policies, may have affected - or been affected by - the attention given to the diasporic phenomenon.>
Finally, and most importantly, we will approach the modes and modalitiesof creative expression, from the perspective of the creators. Special attention will be given to the way literature and the arts interact. Paris is one of the sites that has had a major historical and artistic function in the African-American diasporas and has continued to offer possibilities of new passages, circuits, and audiences. By inviting writers and artists from diverse horizons to convene in Paris and read and present their work there - we hope that this international conference will be the occasion for renewed dialogue and exchange.
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Late afternoons and evenings will be devoted to literary readings, film viewing and performances.
One-page proposals with a brief biographical statement should be sent before June 30,th by mail to Genevieve Fabre 12 Square Montsouris 75014 Paris France, or if by E-mail (please do not send attachments) to these two addressees simultaneously : fabre@paris7.jussieu.fr and marik@paris7.jussieu.fr.
They will be examined by the organizational committee and sent on to the moderators. No proposal will be accepted after June 30th.
