During the last decades, historical research became more and more involved into questions of historical memory and of sites of memory, let them be material or immaterial. Les lieux de mémoire edited by Pierre Nora played an important role in this development. The planned conference asks for sites of memory related to Riga, Tartu or both towns. This might be memorials, historical myths or other expressions of historical memory.

The changing history of both towns with their multiethnic populations under different political regimes inspires the question, how under changing circumstances the same historical phenomena were interpreted. Of interest also are different national traditions like the Latvian, the German, the Russian or the Jewish Riga or German Dorpat in relation to Estonian Tartu. How important were historical stereotypes in constructing the pasts of both towns? Which is the place of Riga or Tartu in the narrative of the respective national states of Latvia and Estonia? How is the foundation and development of the town presented in different historical narratives? In which way the sites of memory were influences by crisis or revolution? These are some of the questions which may be addressed on this interdisciplinary conference.

Languages are German, English, and Russian. The organizers offer free board and accommodation and cover part of the travel expenses (day of arrival 27 June; day of departure 30 June). The location of the conference is Tartu, Estonia, 150 minutes by bus from the Estonian capital Tallinn. The conference is supported by the town of Tartu.

Please send a proposal for a paper (100-150 words) and a short CV no later than 15 May 2006 per email to the local organizer Dr. Olaf Mertelsmann (omertelsmann@yahoo.co.uk).