Conference “‘Peripheral’ Decadences and Forms of Nationalism”. Call For Papers

International Conference

“Peripheral” Decadences and Forms of Nationalism

Under and Tuglas Literature Centre of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
in association with the Estonian Academy of Arts
Tallinn, Estonia
13–15 November 2025

Call For Papers

The conference “‘Peripheral’ Decadences and Forms of Nationalism” focuses on the interconnections of fin de siècle culture and nationalism in the Baltic and more broadly Nordic contexts. The notion of “periphery” here offers multiple ways of exploring the fin de siècle culture: the Baltic and Nordic countries have been traditionally regarded as (Euro)periphery, while Decadent art has existed on the periphery of their own cultural fields. How did nationalist discourses and ideas shape Decadence as an aesthetic in the region? How did Decadent literature and art impact different forms of nationalism?

Fin de siècle Decadence, as a discourse and a distinct aesthetic, has usually been described as cosmopolitan and global. This conference, however, explores its intricate relationship with local national cultures and nationalist politics. We contend that transnational ideas and national objectives coexist peacefully, playing a crucial role in the dynamics of smaller cultures at the turn of the century and after. In the context of fin de siècle “peripheral” examples of Decadence, representations of nation, race, culture and language uniquely convey both overripeness and unripeness. Employing the organic metaphor, we might assert that a “young”, artificially created organism establishes a significant connection with an overmature heritage. A young and minor nation constructs itself atop the weariness of the so-called old world, with signs of decline potentially heralding rebirth. Hence the manifold ways in which Decadence intersects with nationalism suggest states of being that are ambivalently and affectively tied to transition and change.

We invite researchers interested in Decadence Studies to analyse the interconnections between the various forms of “transitional” Decadence and “transitional” nationalism in the history of the so-called peripheral European countries.

Suggested topics:

Decadence
– as an organic process (in the sense of e.g. J. G. Herder, C. Darwin, H. Taine, P. Bourget, F. Nietzsche, O. Spengler)
– and the stages of national growth and/or decline
– and the issues of nation, race and heredity
– and relationship between nation and race
– and nationalism from a gender-sensitive perspective
– and the discourses of nationalism and colonialism
– and affects (including extreme feelings such as ecstasy and apathy, euphoria and dysphoria) in relation to forms of nationalism
– and melancholic expressions of belonging

The conference is in-person and the working language is English. The papers are divided into sessions of two or three participants each. They are limited to a max 15 min presentation + 15 min discussion. Proposals of abstracts and panels can be submitted until 28 February 2025. Letters of acceptance will be sent out at the end of March 2025. Abstracts of no more than 300 words should include a title, as well as a brief bionote, including the institutional affiliation. Proposals should be sent to decadenceconf@utkk.ee. The conference fee is 120 euros for academics and 100 euros for PhD-students.

Keynote speakers are Juliet Simpson (Art History, Coventry University, UK) and Jaan Undusk (Literary History, Under and Tuglas Literature Centre, Estonia).

The conference is simultaneously an interdisciplinary sharing platform proposed by the research team “Emergence of a Civilised Nation: Decadence and Transitionality in 1905‒1940” (PRG1667 Under and Tuglas Literature Centre; supported by the Estonian Research Council) and the 15th International Conference of the Baltic Literary Scholars. It is organised by the Under and Tuglas Literature Centre of the Estonian Academy of Sciences (Kohtu 6, Tallinn) in association with the Estonian Academy of Arts (Põhja puiestee 7, Tallinn).

Organising committee
Tiina Abel
Mirjam Hinrikus
Linda Kaljundi
Merlin Kirikal
Viola Parente-Čapková
Riikka Rossi