Remembering 1916 conference

From PRONI (www.proni.gov.uk):

Remembering 1916: Challenges for Today
Monday 25th November 9.00 to 1.30pm in the MAC, Theatre Upstairs, 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast BT1 2NJ

The half day conference will focus on how we remember the critical events of the Easter Rising, the Battle of the Somme and the First World War which have shaped national identities in Britain, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Web link http://www.community-relations.org.uk/fs/doc/decade-miscellaneous/1916_Conference_notification.pdf
The conference will be chaired by William Crawley broadcaster and commentator. The speakers will place these events in their historical contexts and in the broader contexts of Britain and Ireland, and consider the challenges they pose today.

How the commemoration of these events has contributed to the formation of national identities will be explored in the context of Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Specifically speakers will examine how we change our views on remembering by exploring how the Easter Rising was commemorated in 1966 and how the commemoration of the First World War has changed over time. There will be opportunities through question and answer sessions to explore how open we are now to remembering these critical events in the present changed contexts. Finally the conference will consider how in the light of recent developments in commemoration between Britain and Ireland, the challenge of contemporary commemoration.

The conference is being organised by the Community Relations Council and Heritage Lottery Fund as part of their joint work in exploring the decade of anniversaries in the context of the principles for remembering in public space. It is aimed at those involved in policy development, those influencing, planning and/ or organising events and programmes in relation to the decade of anniversaries, culture and heritage and community organisations, media, representatives from the political spheres and academic life interested in identity and in how events are remembered in contested or post conflict societies.

There is no cost for the conference but early booking is recommended. The finalised programme will be circulated in advance of the conference. In order to book a place, please return the attached by 13th November giving, name, organisation and contact details to tgibson@nicrc.org.uk
Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an email to this effect.

(With thanks to Gavin McMahon)

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.