In/dependent Wales Conference 2014

2014The Association for Welsh Writing in English annual conference in 2014 will take the theme of In/dependent Wales. The forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence has re-ignited discussion over the contentious issues of national identity, independence and union (or lack of) across the UK.

Lacking political independence, Welsh identity has long articulated itself through literature and culture. AWWE 2014 seeks to explore the numerous ways in which the Welsh writers, in both languages and across a broad historical period, have positioned themselves in relation to larger structures of power: colonialism; the British state; the British state; Europe; industrial capitalism; patriarchy; cultural institutions and/or literary traditions.

The conference invites contributions on any topic relating to Welsh writing and in/dependence. Contributions are encouraged from across disciplines, historical periods, and methodological approaches. Topics might include, but are by no means limited to:

• In/dependent bodies
• Wales and Britishness, Wales and Empire]
• Wales in comparative contexts
• Imperial, colonial and postcolonial Wales
• Union, devolution, independence
• Minority culture, stateless nations
• Nationalism and postnationalism
• Exiled voices, expatriate communities
• Margins, borders and spaces in-between
• Cultural nationalism
• Journalism and political writing
• Institutional independence, public arts funding
• Gender and nationhood      

Abstracts of 250 words for twenty-minute papers should be submitted to independentwales@bangor.ac.uk by Friday 10 January 2014. Proposals for panels of three twenty-minute papers are also welcomed. Applicants will be informed by 24 January.

Organised by Dr Tomos Owen, Dr Andy Webb and Professor Tony Brown (Bangor University).
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