Visions of Europe in the East of Europe. From late socialism to EU enlargement

The late 20th century—particularly the 1980s and 1990s—saw intense debates about Europe and European identity, with a focus on east-central and southeastern Europe. Discussions centered on concepts such as Mitteleuropa and on the Balkans' relationship with Europe. This symposium aims to broaden the conversation by exploring overlooked and surprising ideas about Europe from these regions, engaging with diverse and marginalised visions of Europeanness and their relationship to contemporary debates.

We will historicise these debates from the 1980s to the 2000s when many east-central and southeastern European countries joined the EU and NATO. This period was pivotal in reshaping visions of Europe and the field of European Studies. The symposium will reflect on the cultural and political transformations
of the 1980s and 1990s, the Yugoslav wars, the ‘return to Europe’ paradigm, and the impact of EU and NATO enlargement as well as migration. It will examine representations of Europe from countries that have joined the EU and those that have not, questioning how EU membership affects ideas about Europe.

The symposium will critically assess dominant narratives of Europe, revealing a broader spectrum of interpretations and uncovering alternative visions from eastern Europe over the past forty years