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In this MUNI Seminar Series talk, explore the concept of Europe's "long 1989" as presented by Chris Bickerton, which connects the central and Eastern European events of 1989 to broader transformations spanning from the early 1980s through the 1990s and beyond. Examine three key transformations: the dismantling of political systems forged in earlier ideological conflicts, the "modernisation" of national economies that eliminated institutional expressions of post-1945 class compromise, and the unraveling of collective identities (class, religion, gender, and sexuality) that had shaped European individual experiences throughout the twentieth century. Discover both the liberating effects of these transformations and the significant feelings of loss they generated. Understand how this complex legacy continues to influence contemporary issues, from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to the ongoing search for meaning in an era where freedom is increasingly viewed as an individual property rather than a collective project of social transformation. The 68-minute lecture incorporates literature, film, and critical engagement with contemporary historiography to illuminate these themes.
