The study of collective memory has been of major interest in the field of social sciences for many years. Since Pierre Nora’s seminal work on lieux de mémoire, it has proven a useful approach for the analysis of collective identities, the reception of the past and the use of history for political purposes. This conference seeks to cast new light on the concept of Burgundian state ideology by looking at this much-debated subject through the lens of collective memories.

A first session will discuss the production of myth, the cultivation of lieux de mémoire and the (ab)use of history by the Valois dukes of Burgundy, their official historians and their allies. It will question whether these attempts can be considered as a coherent attempt to develop a form of ‘governance by cultural means’. Comparisons with other ruling dynasties of the period may also be drawn.

The second session will take into account the fierce opposition to the expansion of ducal power from urban communities, regional noblemen and even outside princes. Exploring the limits of Burgundian ideology and the contradictions between different memory discourses, this session will put a special emphasis on traditions fostered ‘from below’ and the deployment of memories in defence of particularistic interests.

Recognising that memories can only become collective when shared, the final session will examine the different media of memory, their production and their reception. These media are extremely diverse and range from architecture to literature, from political emblems to Church liturgy, from the visual arts to music, and many more. Similarly, in acknowledgement of the often complex nature of patronage and reception, this session seeks to provide new insights into the communication between the producers of these media and their audience. Papers with a theoretical outlook are also permitted.

Contributions should be of no more than 30 minutes and scholars from all fields are welcome. The preferred languages are English and French, but contributions in German and Dutch will also be considered.

Proposals for papers should be sent with an abstract of c. 300 words by 1 December 2010 to Dr. Pit Peporte (pit.peporte@uni.lu).