Meeting: “East vs. West. Orientalisation in contemporary Poland”

23 May, 6 pm

Orientalisation is a discourse that negatively “defines” cultures, religions, nations, and social groups considered Oriental/Eastern in opposition to the West. Today, Orientalisation occurs on a large scale in public space in Poland, especially in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The Polish version of Orientalisation concerns primarily, though to varying degrees, Muslims, non-Russian nations in Russia, Russians, Ukrainians, Jews, and inhabitants of the Balkans. It has a significant impact on Polish society and elites. Unfortunately, the discussion on this topic is at present very limited in scope.

We invited you for meeting with Adam Balcer, author of the report “Na Wschodzie bez zmian? Orientalizacja we współczesnej Polsce” [“All quiet on the Eastern front? Orientalisation in contemporary Poland”], hosted by Dr. Paulina Małochleb. The report was published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe with the support of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung (Warsaw office).  

The meeting was recorded, streamed, and interpreted into the Polish Sign Language.

Guest:

Adam Balcer

Moderator:

Dr. Paulina Małochleb

Venue:

International Cultural Centre, Rynek Główny 25, “The Ravens” Hall

Biographical notes:

Adam Balcer – programme director at the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe, lecturer at the Centre for East European Studies at the University of Warsaw and national expert of the European Council on Foreign Affairs (ECFR). He hosts the Babel podcast on TOK FM radio devoted to the multicultural heritage of Poland. He is the author of three books and numerous articles and reports in Polish, English and German, addressing issues such as Polish foreign policy, the Balkans, Turkey, Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Dr. Paulina Małochleb – literary critic and scholar, lecturer. Laureate of the Prime Minister Award, laureate of the National Centre for Culture “Młoda Polska” fellowship. Author of the book “Przepisywanie historii” and ksiazkinaostro.pl blog.