In June, Tina van der Vlies will visit the Centre for Research in Memory, Narrative and Histories (CRMNH) at the University of Brighton. During her stay, she will give a seminar “Metaphor and the resonance of events in historical narration” on June 15, 2016.
Van der Vlies discusses why and how events are connected in historical narrations. next to the fact that the present affects how the past is narrated and interpreted, past events play an important role in understanding and interpreting the present and future. New events can gain attention by replacing others or by starting a conversation with already dominant memories and histories (Rothbert, 2009). Cross-references between histories can provide insight in widespread 'patterns' for narrating, remembering and interpreting the past (Van der Vlies, 2016). She will illustrate her arguments with examples from English and Dutch history textbooks, published for pupils in the age group between 11-14 years old in the 1925-1965 period.
The CRMNH develops and stimulates research concerned with the cultural significance of the past for our lived experience, social relationships, politics and identities in the present. The complex interconnections between present and past evoked by current concepts of memory, understood as a cultural and political as well as a psychological process, are among the Centre's main concerns. The CRMNH investigates the practices that produce and circulate knowledges and understandings of the past.