Call for Papers: Separated – reunited! Conservation and Restoration in Central Europe during the time of the iron curtain and today

International Conference Separated – reunited! Conservation and Restoration in Central Europe during the time of the iron curtain and today


Hildesheim, 25 to 28 September, 2013


Call for paper deadline: 31 July, 2012 



The Conference focuses on the latest and often neglected chapter in the history of European conservation: the time after 1945 on both sides of the iron curtain. The conference papers will demonstrate the significance of this period for today’s heritage assets and for our understanding of history. The identity-giving role of monuments for specific groups of the population, religions and countries as well as the ideological misuse of monuments, shall be an area under discussion.


The following topics are planned:

• Overviews of the history of conservation in Central Europe after 1945: from the perspective of individual countries and regions, also taking into account the political and social situation and the national heritage legislation.
• Theoretical basis, method and practice of conservation and restoration on both sides of the iron curtain.
• Case studies from conservation and restoration practice.
• Present-day perception of conservation and restoration measures at the time of the iron curtain: re-restorations, reshaping and re-interpretation vs. appreciation and preservation?
• Conservation and restoration in social and political context: the ideological appropriation of monuments at the time of the iron curtain and today.

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