One of the missions of the C²DH is to serve as a platform, not just for academic research but also for critical discussion on contemporary history in Luxembourg and the methodological challenges raised by historiography in the digital age. To this end, the centre regularly organises events, known as “Forum Z” (the “Z” stands for Zeitgeschichte, the German word for contemporary history), which provide a space for researchers and the public to come together.
Forum Z events are not just about particular periods or themes; they also explore the methodological and practical issues faced by historians in their day-to-day work. “In other words, we want to give the public an opportunity not only to find out about the latest research but also to learn about how this research was carried out,” explains Benjamin Zenner, a PhD student who is involved in the general coordination of this series of events.
The first Forum Z, which took place in February 2017, looked at the question of digital archiving, its challenges and the opportunities it raises. Another event, in June 2017, explored the subject of storytelling and how the way in which we “tell” history has developed as a result of new technologies.
The other main C²DH research areas also featured in the first year of Forum Z events. In March 2017, a Forum Z on research into the Second World War in Luxembourg looked at subjects such as the Resistance, collaboration and the persecution of Jewish populations. And in October 2017, another event particularly resonated with recent political developments, namely how historians can present the story of Europe in the digital age.
“Sparking discussions and debates with society and its key players is one of the priorities of these events,” adds Benjamin Zenner. He gives the example of the event about the history of the Luxembourg financial centre, held in July 2017. “At this Forum Z, we saw that historians and professionals working in the financial sector each had their own expectations – and hesitations – concerning the archive work that needs to be carried out, but that ultimately their positions were not so different that a workable path could not be forged for academic research,” concludes the historian.
In 2017 the following Forum Z events were organised:
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In 2017, the Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l’Europe was integrated into the University of Luxembourg.
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The C²DH is a cutting-edge historical research centre whose work and research findings directly benefit students in the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) and the University of Luxembourg as a whole.
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