Unveiling the Sensing Loss Lecture Series
The Sensing Loss lecture series, hosted by the Institute of Ethnology and the Collaborative Research Center Media of Cooperation in collaboration with the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, aims to bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding of the complex emotions surrounding loss. Set in the atmospheric backdrop of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum located at Cäcilienstraße 29, 50667 Köln, this series serves as a platform for social and cultural anthropologists at various career stages to present their ongoing research. Notably, the series features contributions from esteemed speakers including Hamid Bouhlal, a notable author and spiritual leader of the ʿIsāwa Sḥaym u Muḫtār community based between Meknes and Paris, filmmaker Sebastian Eschenbach from Uckermark, and Professor Dr. Martin Zillinger from the University of Cologne.
The core theme of Sensing Loss revolves around how individuals experience loss, the ways in which these experiences are processed, and the implications they have on personal and communal narratives. The series invites reflection on the phenomenology of loss—how it is perceived, embodied, and spatially contextualized. It also seeks to explore how historical injustices such as displacement and dispossession can be transformed into opportunities for creating new futures. The discussions will delve into the multifaceted nature of loss, showcasing how experiences of colonialism, marginalization, and violence manifest in diverse contexts.
Engaging with Grief, Memory, and Future Connections
Public lectures within the Sensing Loss series provide a rich tapestry of discussions focused on the intricate interplay between grief, loss, and memory. These emotional experiences are not merely burdens to bear; they can serve as powerful catalysts for articulating claims on the present and forging fresh connections between people, places, and the continuum of time—from past to future. In alignment with the ongoing exhibition titled r e t u r n at the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, the lectures will explore various dimensions of grief, nostalgia, and collective memory work, emphasizing how these themes can inspire collaborative movements toward new beginnings.
For those interested in a deeper understanding of these themes and their societal implications, the Sensing Loss lecture series offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with contemporary ethnological research and reflects a commitment to fostering dialogue around loss and its potential for community healing and transformation. For additional details, visit the official website.
As reported by uni-koeln.de.
