Berlin - Washington, 1800-2000: 
Capital Cities, Cultural Representations and National Identities
Submission Deadline: May 30, 1999
Location: Washington, D.C.
Conference Dates: March 30 - April 1, 2000

On the eve of the German parliament's move from Bonn to Berlin and in view of the bicentennial celebrations in Washington, D.C., the German Historical Institute is organizing a conference titled "Berlin - Washington, 1800-2000: Capital Cities, Cultural Representations, and National Identities." This conference, to be held in the spring of 2000, will explore the multiple historical processes that have made national capitals out of these two cities: We will seek to understand how capital cities began to embody what have become public functions for a nation; we will look at the cultural, social, and political forces that have nationalized certain representations of these cities; and we will examine how the capital character of these cities developed through image-building, political discourse, and strategies of memorializing national concerns. Instead of stressing political events or concrete urban developments per se, we shall focus on the representations of nations through their capitals and thereby include architectural and planning aspects as well as the ethnic composition and elements of spectacularizing politics.

Four fields of inquiry will provide the overall structure of this conference. First we will compare the mental mapping of Berlin and Washington, including questions of the siting of these capitals, their reputations in comparison with other capital cities, and their roles as tourist attractions. Second, we will look at the development of urban landscapes and political topographies, with a strong emphasis on city planning, architecture, and the politics of memory. Our third major interest is to learn more about the capital cultures, expressed in media and discourses or via festivals and parades. Fourth, we intend to trace capital conflicts and the tension between unity and diversity in political, cultural, and social life.

Because of limits in space and financing, participation is possible only by invitation and is bound to a concrete contribution. The conference will be small in size, bringing together about thirty scholars. We have already contacted a number of colleagues, and many parts of the program have been set up. At this point, however, we are still considering promising proposals if they pursue a challenging comparative and historical approach to the overall theme. We are specifically looking for colleagues who would be willing to treat one of the following topics:

 - Berlin and Washington as international cities (infrastructure, trade,
 traffic, etc.).
 - Berlin and Washington as international actors and settings of
   international politics (conferences; political, cultural or economic
   meetings; capital cities as places of international crises).
 - Department stores and commerce in Berlin and Washington.
 - Train stations as gateways to capitals and public spaces in Berlin and
   Washington.
 - Hotels as public spaces in Berlin and Washington.
 - Embassy buildings in Berlin and Washington.
 - National monuments in Berlin and Washington.
 - Media, clubs, and lobbyism in Berlin and Washington.