As part of our Spring Fellowship election, join us as we hear from two early career researchers on their work exploring the future of heritage sites in Ukraine and refugee lives in Scotland.
The impact of the war in Ukraine on scientific and rescue excavations by Dr Alla Kurzenkova FSAScot, University of Glasgow:
The Chornobyl settlement has been written into the landscape, intertwined with the human history from the end of the 10th – 11th centuries to man-made crises such as the Chornobyl disaster (1986), the creation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), and the full-scale war in Ukraine, which has prevented any further archaeological excavations there. Since the end of the twentieth century the Chornobyl landscape has lost its human touch and turned into a memory of an ‘abandoned landscape’. It embodied the emotions associated with the process of abandonment, where nature took over and began to cover the site, reviving it with new species of flora and fauna. It is crucial to reflect on how the human impact that left a long shadow on the Chornobyl settlement has, at the same time, reinforced the archaeological aspect of the settlement’s research a bit more than 16 years later. The Russian occupation of the area has made access to the sites more difficult, and the monuments themselves can be damaged by shell explosions and trenches. The level of preservation of most archaeological and cultural sites is currently unknown. All this has raised questions that need to be discussed: How should emotions be managed and what steps should be taken to preserve early medieval archaeological sites?
Refugee histories of Scotland by Katherine Mackinnon, University of Glasgow:
From the Berber Roman governor who built the Antonine Wall, to Lithuanians who mined Lanarkshire coal, to the Belgian WW1 refugees who worked as clippies on Glasgow trams, refugees and migrants have been part of the fabric of Scottish society since before Scotland even existed. Despite this, records of refugee experiences have been rare. Oral histories of refugee lives can provide great insight into experiences of Scottish culture, society and history from the perspective of those who have made their home here.
A drinks reception will follow. All welcome.
Image credit: Katherine Mackinnon
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!In their most anticipated event of the year, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland's 2024 Rhind Lectures return from 31st May to 2nd June.
READ MOREA lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place at The Open Door Community Centre, Edinburgh on various dates throughout the year.
READ MOREThese tea and talk sessions deliver a series of small-scale talks from the RZSS team in the stunning setting of the Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo.
READ MOREJoin The Social Society at Moda The McEwan on 16th May for a community event that packs a giant impactful charitable punch!
READ MOREJoin us for this unique, adult only, after hours event in the historic Museum and Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh on 17th May!
READ MOREJoin artist Janine Baldwin at Birch Tree Gallery on 18th May as she gives a brief introduction to her creative background and techniques, then shows us how she creates a collage.
READ MOREAfter a sellout debut show in London, Rich and Rox are now taking ADHD Love LIVE on tour! Prepare for an evening of laughter, honest conversation, and radical shame reduction.
READ MOREJoin us at the Holiday Inn Edinburgh for our eighth annual Tinnitus, Hyperacusis & Hearing Information Show (THIS) 2024. A beacon of hope for those navigating the challenges of tinnitus.
READ MOREJoin Ranger Emma on Sunday 19th May for a late spring exploration of Hopetoun’s Grounds and delve into the folklore and natural history of the collections of Bluebells!
READ MOREJoin us at the Institut Français d'Ecosse on Tuesday 21st May and meet the author of ‘The Postcard’ - Anne Berest!
READ MORE