Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR)

Year of Algeria: Professorial lecture

Inaugural Professorial Lecture
by Professor Martin Evans
13 June

Mockery, Music and Bandits of honour: a History of Algeria in Six Objects

Starting with six precise objects (a photograph, a joke, a song, a flag, a football jersey and the story of a nineteenth century bandit of honour) this lecture will explore the complexities of modern Algerian history.  By contextualising each object, the lecture will use them as evidence in the exploration of multiple networks of transnational connections and ideas that shaped Algeria and Algerians. 

The lecture will place these six objects into the broadest possible international and global historical context by asking the question, what do each of these objects tell us about the past?  Moreover, how do these objects help us to understand what is specific and what is generic about Algerian history?  In doing so, the lecture will argue that Algeria is of such historical importance because its violent and contested history is illustrative of the major processes that have shaped, and continue to shape, the modern world.              

For further details, and to book your place, please visit http://martinevans.eventbrite.com/   

Martin Evans is Professor of Contemporary European History, and one of the leaders of the University's MA Francophone Africa. His most recent book is Algeria: France's Undeclared War (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012).