Antiziganism and ambivalence in Europe (1850–1950)

Sub-projects

Subproject 1 (Bell/Ulz) Picture narration and visual staging of antigypsyist motifs (1848-1930) explores the significance of modern picture narratives that continue traditional stereotypical motifs and subjects, while subproject 2 (von Hagen) Spectacle, voyeurism, subalternity [... ] in popular knowledge media (1850-1950) uses examples from Spain and France, especially Paris, to address the question of the extent to which Sinti*zze and Rom*nja were the subjects of spectacular productions during the period under investigation. Together with TP 3 (Bauer/Mladenova) Ambiguities of the Audiovisual: Gypsy Figures in Feature Films (1895-1950), which explores the origins, changing meanings and aesthetic and political functions of Gypsy figures in silent films and early sound films (from 1927), these three SPs focus on the ambiguities of artistic media.

In contrast, the other three SPs are concerned with expository and journalistic texts and files of scientific and police practice. SP 4 (Bohn) Reflection and projection: ‘Gypsy lore’ in the Danube-Carpathian region (1880-1930) explores the emancipatory and defamatory potential of so-called ‘Gypsy lore’. (Patrut) Rom*nja journalism in the interwar period (1918-1939) is dedicated - in contrast to SP 4 - to Rom*nja journalism, and thus to political self-articulation and resistance against exclusionary tendencies, while SP 6 (Penter/Reuter) examines transformations of the police antigypsyist discourse in the interwar period (1918-1939).

Transformations of the police antigypsyist discourse: from the ‘racial’ paradigm to genocidal practice (1850-1950) examines the change from a primarily sociographically accentuated to a ‘racial-biological’ concept of gypsies, which goes hand in hand with a transformation of the police into an agency of persecution and extermination.

With the involvement of an international network of academics, the results will be published following four conferences. Two habilitations, three dissertations and six monographs will be produced. The research group attaches particular importance to the participation of Sinti*zze and Rom*nja, for which an advisory board with eight members and the promotion of academic careers from the minority are planned.