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After two Winter Schools, the first Spring School of the Cologne/Bonn Academy in Exile took place from 24 to 26 March 2025 at the Universities of Cologne and Bonn. Under the highly topical theme ‘Peace and Post-War Societies‘, nine of the CBA-Fellows discussed with other members and invited guests in thematic panels and discussion rounds.

In four interdisciplinary panels, the CBA-Fellows presented their current research on questions of international law in the 20th and 21st centuries, on Ukraine‘s role in a fast-changing Europe, on Ukraine‘s special position in the world structure, and on the role of the Russo-Ukrainian War as part of a new world order. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Angelika Nußberger, Director of the Academy for European Human Rights Protection at the University of Cologne, opened the Spring School. Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder, Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn, followed with a keynote speech on imperialism and war in the 21st century. In the first panel, CBA-Fellow Dr. Gleb Bogush addressed questions of pacifism and militarization in the context of international law against the backdrop of war. Dr. Sergei Akopov spoke on the phenomenology of rescue, addressing, among other things, the question of resistance, which Gleb Bogush had already raised in the previous lecture. The second panel was highly interdisciplinary and included an art-historical lecture by Dr. Kateryna Mikheienko, who shed light on the architecture of Kievan Rus. The cultural scientist Dr. Iryna Petrova spoke about the activities of Ukrainian cultural and scientific institutions during the war. Sociologist Dr. Daria Vystavkina expanded the discussion to include perspectives on the culture of remembrance and cultural memory. In Panel 3, which featured literary scholars and historians, Dr. Tatiana Khripachenko discussed the feminist, autofictional war diary of activist Victoria Amelina who died in 2023. Dr. Alena Pantiukhina took a comparative perspective and shed light on the post-war Soviet Union in the work of Friedrich Gorenstein. In panel 4, economist Dr. Halyna Matviienko ventured a look at the possibilities of green energy in a Ukrainian post-war economy and presented concepts of agroforestry and agrivoltaics in particular. The social scientist Dr. Galina Selivanova expanded the discussion to include aspects of transnational Russian repression in the rapidly changing world order.

Two keynote lectures completed the programme. On 24 March, the head of the Center for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) and Einstein Professor for Comparative Democracy and Authoritarianism Research at Humboldt University of Berlin, Prof. Dr. Gwendolyn Sasse, gave a lecture on ‘Society during and after War: Between Unity and Diversity‘ at the University of Cologne. This was followed on 25 March by the lecture ‘Writing War, (Re)Inventing Identity: Ukrainian Literature and Culture after 2014‘ by literary and cultural scholar Dr. Alexander Chertenko of Justus Liebig University Gießen at the University of Bonn. While Prof. Sasse presented the latest research results from the field of empirical social research on questions of diversity and unity within Ukrainian society in her lecture, Dr. Chertenko took a look at identity constructions in Ukrainian literature and culture since the beginning of the war in Eastern Ukraine (Donbas) in 2014 from the perspective of cultural studies.

In addition to personal statements by the participants, the final discussion on the possibilities of post-war societies also included thoughts on a peaceful future in Europe and the contribution that German politics as well as German academic culture can make to this.

The academic programme was complemented by a cultural programme on 26 March, during which the academy members visited Augustusburg Castle and the Max Ernst Museum in Brühl.



 
 

On December 2–3, 2024, the Cologne/Bonn Academy in Exile hosted an enriching and thought-provoking workshop facilitated by Anastasia Vorobyeva, Yuliia Terentieva, and Valentine Hoffmann at the University of Bonn. These experienced professionals brought their expertise in Playback Theater to guide the Fellows through a journey of storytelling, emotional exploration, and shared reflection. Playback Theater, an improvisational art form where personal stories are enacted on the spot, was the central methodology, fostering connection, healing, and understanding among participants.


The workshop introduced the Fellows to the principles and techniques of Playback Theater while providing a safe and inclusive environment for dialogue. Over the two days, participants engaged deeply with themes of resilience, personal and collective challenges, and visions for the future. The group explored emotions and experiences in the context of war and displacement, delving into personal stories that highlighted moments of overcoming adversity.


The Fellows responded enthusiastically to the workshop, noting the warmth and inclusivity fostered by the facilitators. The diverse backgrounds of the leadership team, encompassing Ukrainian, Russian, and German perspectives, brought a unique sensitivity to the discussions, which resonated deeply with the participants. The methodologies employed not only encouraged personal expression but also strengthened bonds within the group, enabling a sense of solidarity and mutual understanding.

Many participants expressed how transformative they found the Playback Theater approach. They valued the opportunity to share their experiences in a supportive space and to witness the power of storytelling as a tool for building empathy and fostering collective healing. The workshop was praised for its ability to inspire hope and provide meaningful tools for navigating challenging times.


This event reinforced the importance of creative and participatory methods in the Academy’s program, highlighting their potential to address complex emotional and social dynamics. The success of this workshop encourages the Academy to continue offering innovative, community-focused initiatives that empower scholars in exile and promote dialogue and resilience.


Participants of the Workshop Life in Exile of Researchers – Conflict & Encounters
Participants of the Workshop Life in Exile of Researchers – Conflict & Encounters

 
 

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, shocked Europe and the whole world. Two years of brutal military conflict have led to significant changes in the political and social landscapes of both countries. Ukrainian society continues to demonstrate resilience, mobilisation, and unwavering commitment to progressive democratic values. However, contradictions and ruptures are beginning to emerge in Ukraine, once united in resistance to the invasion. Meanwhile, the Russian regime has solidified its grip as a dictatorship of fear, intensifying repression and suppressing any internal dissent.

The lecture series “Prspectiven der Moderne 2024” invites to discuss transformations in Russian and Ukrainian state and society, focusing on both internal and external aspects.  Experts will explore societal dynamics, government reactions, and new visions for the future in both countries in their presentations. Additionally, the war led to significant changes in Germany and across the European continent, our lecture series will expand understanding of the war's consequences for German and European socio-political landscapes and regional stability.



 
 
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