Since its foundation in 2006, UNeECC, the University Network of the European Capitals of Culture, has brought together established scholars, starting academics and PhD-students to participate in its Annual Conference. Here they can exchange research insights on ECoC and European Culture(s) and engage in dialogue with ECoC organizers such as local authorities and artists.
The conference is traditionally located in one of the European Capital of Culture of the year and is organized by the local UNeECC university member.
The involvement of the University of Pannonia in the European Capital of Culture Veszprém 2023 has inspired them to host this year’s UNeECC Annual Conference. By this international academic outreach, the university adds an extra dimension to their ECoC and as such consolidates the “town and gown collaboration” which UNeECC highly esteems in its members. Hence we are grateful that the organizers from Pannonia University offer this platform to their colleagues from all over Europe to get together again and follow up on research into ECoC and culture in the life of individual European citizens and society.
Taking into consideration the university organizers’ expertise and academic interest, and the ECoC organizers’ focus, the UNeECC Board and the University of Pannonia jointly decided on the topical theme ‘Cultur(E)scapes: Innovation in Culture and Beyond’.
Ever since the origin of our human species, humans have strived to exploit and control their habitat. Through the ages humankind has built up a civilization in which culture, as human intervention, provides structure, knowledge, imagination and innovation, hence creating a ‘culture-scape’ that characterizes our society. At the same time, culture – and art as its sublime expression - can offer a welcome and enjoyable ‘escape’ from our everyday worries. Both these dimensions, ‘re-creation’ and ‘recreation’, will be addressed at the conference.
To allow for academics and professionals from different disciplines to participate in the conference, the following tracks were identified: Shared Cultural Responsibility, Cultural Land(E)scape, Land(E)scape in Tourism, Digital E-Spaces in Culture. This way colleagues from both alpha and beta sciences can find their place to partake in the cross-disciplinary discussions we hope to induce and promote in an international context.
We are honoured that the keynote speakers, Nico Degenkolb and Zoltán Mészáros have accepted our invitation to give plenary presentations at the conference.
We invite you to send in inspiring proposals on the suggested topics and look forward to meeting you in Veszprém in September.
Prof. dr. Flora Carrijn
President of UNeECC
The UNeECC Annual Conference 2023 titled 'Cultur(E)scapes: Innovation in Culture and Beyond' is supported by the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture programme.