The article discusses the concept of historical culture of German historian and philosopher Jörn Rüsen (b. 1938). This discussion includes the analysis of the idea of the historical culture studies that evolved from theory of historiography or metahistory (Historik). Rüsen considered as the object of Historik paradigms of historical studies conceived as hermeneutical- circle-like structures including interests, viewpoints upon the past, methods of research, forms of representation, and functions of the practical orientation of life. Historical culture includes all phenomena of the social representation of the past, public collective memory considered as expression of the historical consciousness of society or some particular social group. The structure of historical culture is defined by the interrelated cognitive, political, and aesthetic dimensions. However, neither in his earlier concept of Historik nor in the later project of the historical culture studies Rüsen provides satisfactory solution of the problems concerning epistemological status of his universal statements about the history and its representations. Are they descriptive or normative statements? A priori or empirical statements? His idea of the historical culture studies is onesidedly oriented towards the elite historical culture at the cost of neglecting the issues related to the production, consumption, commercialization of popular historical culture and its ideological functions. The ideas of the ethics of history and that of religion of history are considered as the original and bold proposals how to extend the field of the historical culture studies.
The article discusses the concept of historical culture of German historian and philosopher Jörn Rüsen (b. 1938). This discussion includes the analysis of the idea of the historical culture studies that evolved from theory of historiography or metahistory (Historik). Rüsen considered as the object of Historik paradigms of historical studies conceived as hermeneutical- circle-like structures including interests, viewpoints upon the past, methods of research, forms of representation, and functions of the practical orientation of life. Historical culture includes all phenomena of the social representation of the past, public collective memory considered as expression of the historical consciousness of society or some particular social group. The structure of historical culture is defined by the interrelated cognitive, political, and aesthetic dimensions. However, neither in his earlier concept of Historik nor in the later project of the historical culture studies Rüsen provides satisfactory solution of the problems concerning epistemological status of his universal statements about the history and its representations. Are they descriptive or normative statements? A priori or empirical statements? His idea of the historical culture studies is onesidedly oriented towards the elite historical culture at the cost of neglecting the issues related to the production, consumption, commercialization of popular historical culture and its ideological functions. The ideas of the ethics of history and that of religion of history are considered as the original and bold proposals how to extend the field of the historical culture studies.
The article discusses the concept of historical culture of German historian and philosopher Jörn Rüsen (b. 1938). This discussion includes the analysis of the idea of the historical culture studies that evolved from theory of historiography or metahistory (Historik). Rüsen considered as the object of Historik paradigms of historical studies conceived as hermeneutical- circle-like structures including interests, viewpoints upon the past, methods of research, forms of representation, and functions of the practical orientation of life. Historical culture includes all phenomena of the social representation of the past, public collective memory considered as expression of the historical consciousness of society or some particular social group. The structure of historical culture is defined by the interrelated cognitive, political, and aesthetic dimensions. However, neither in his earlier concept of Historik nor in the later project of the historical culture studies Rüsen provides satisfactory solution of the problems concerning epistemological status of his universal statements about the history and its representations. Are they descriptive or normative statements? A priori or empirical statements? His idea of the historical culture studies is onesidedly oriented towards the elite historical culture at the cost of neglecting the issues related to the production, consumption, commercialization of popular historical culture and its ideological functions. The ideas of the ethics of history and that of religion of history are considered as the original and bold proposals how to extend the field of the historical culture studies.
The article discusses the concept of historical culture of German historian and philosopher Jörn Rüsen (b. 1938). This discussion includes the analysis of the idea of the historical culture studies that evolved from theory of historiography or metahistory (Historik). Rüsen considered as the object of Historik paradigms of historical studies conceived as hermeneutical- circle-like structures including interests, viewpoints upon the past, methods of research, forms of representation, and functions of the practical orientation of life. Historical culture includes all phenomena of the social representation of the past, public collective memory considered as expression of the historical consciousness of society or some particular social group. The structure of historical culture is defined by the interrelated cognitive, political, and aesthetic dimensions. However, neither in his earlier concept of Historik nor in the later project of the historical culture studies Rüsen provides satisfactory solution of the problems concerning epistemological status of his universal statements about the history and its representations. Are they descriptive or normative statements? A priori or empirical statements? His idea of the historical culture studies is onesidedly oriented towards the elite historical culture at the cost of neglecting the issues related to the production, consumption, commercialization of popular historical culture and its ideological functions. The ideas of the ethics of history and that of religion of history are considered as the original and bold proposals how to extend the field of the historical culture studies.
Regional studies are not ends in themselves; they have a clear methodological basis – regionalism – promoting the complex look at these studies, as well as the search for distinctive forms of regional cultural expressions. In Lithuania, century-long regional studies of book culture have survived an uneven evolution. It was influenced by the instability of the evolution of regionalism, the processes of sovietisation, and the inaction of current regional policy in the country. In the context of Eastern Europe, regional studies have not significantly lagged behind the general development of book science; thus, the attention to them has always remained fairly consistent. The largest historical gains are achieved by the studies of Lithuania Minor, started in the 20th century by Prof. V. Gaigalaitis and A. Bruožis, and in the 70s taken over and qualitatively developed by Prof. D. Kaunas. The most important historiographical achievement is the assessment of an autonomous concept of book culture in Lithuania Minor. It has been achieved by a consistent and systematic investigation of the press, publishing, library and book trade history in this region. Regional studies of the biggest regions of Lithuania – Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia – differ significantly among themselves. Prof. V. Biržiška, who was the first to formulate the concept of the book of Samogitia, had given a positive shift in developing the further studies of this region. Despite the lack in generalising works, localized studies, as well as the analysis of individual issues facilitate the favourable conditions for the reconstruction of a multi-faceted picture of book culture in Samogitia. The maturity of studies in the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia is considerably more modest – library studies are mainly developed, a smaller extent of book distribution is noticed. Therefore, a more broadly developed analysis of individual questions cannot represent the direction of regional studies. In general, regional studies lack social sections; consequently, the relationships of the inhabitants of different regions to the book are still difficult to imagine. From the institutional point of view, there is a lack of the concentration of regional study centres; as a result, the history research centres operating either in Klaipėda or in Šiauliai pay little attention to the problems of regional book history, and the researchers engaged in this activity do not always manage to overstep the boundaries of Šiauliai and Klaipėda cities. Since the middle of the 20th century, the most famous centre of the concentration of book science studies has been the one established in the Vilnius University; for this reason, representatives of library science and book studies in the regional studies accumulated the majority of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The historical past of the regions of Lithuania has a direct link to the maturity of regional studies, but the studies of book culture are not only historical. The fixation of the present situation and its analysis are of no less importance than the studies of the problems of the past book history. In the theoretical context of regional studies, we still lag behind our Eastern and Western neighbours; for this reason, we often solve contemporaneous historiographical problems rather than trying to find the continuity of the forms of regional book culture. From the positions of the book culture paradigm of V. Vasiliev, the majority of the aspects of book culture have been more or less explored, except for the problems of book art. The challenge for future studies is the search for theoretical and methodological decisions allowing the evaluation of regional book culture as a form of regional cultural expression.
Regional studies are not ends in themselves; they have a clear methodological basis – regionalism – promoting the complex look at these studies, as well as the search for distinctive forms of regional cultural expressions. In Lithuania, century-long regional studies of book culture have survived an uneven evolution. It was influenced by the instability of the evolution of regionalism, the processes of sovietisation, and the inaction of current regional policy in the country. In the context of Eastern Europe, regional studies have not significantly lagged behind the general development of book science; thus, the attention to them has always remained fairly consistent. The largest historical gains are achieved by the studies of Lithuania Minor, started in the 20th century by Prof. V. Gaigalaitis and A. Bruožis, and in the 70s taken over and qualitatively developed by Prof. D. Kaunas. The most important historiographical achievement is the assessment of an autonomous concept of book culture in Lithuania Minor. It has been achieved by a consistent and systematic investigation of the press, publishing, library and book trade history in this region. Regional studies of the biggest regions of Lithuania – Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia – differ significantly among themselves. Prof. V. Biržiška, who was the first to formulate the concept of the book of Samogitia, had given a positive shift in developing the further studies of this region. Despite the lack in generalising works, localized studies, as well as the analysis of individual issues facilitate the favourable conditions for the reconstruction of a multi-faceted picture of book culture in Samogitia. The maturity of studies in the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia is considerably more modest – library studies are mainly developed, a smaller extent of book distribution is noticed. Therefore, a more broadly developed analysis of individual questions cannot represent the direction of regional studies. In general, regional studies lack social sections; consequently, the relationships of the inhabitants of different regions to the book are still difficult to imagine. From the institutional point of view, there is a lack of the concentration of regional study centres; as a result, the history research centres operating either in Klaipėda or in Šiauliai pay little attention to the problems of regional book history, and the researchers engaged in this activity do not always manage to overstep the boundaries of Šiauliai and Klaipėda cities. Since the middle of the 20th century, the most famous centre of the concentration of book science studies has been the one established in the Vilnius University; for this reason, representatives of library science and book studies in the regional studies accumulated the majority of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The historical past of the regions of Lithuania has a direct link to the maturity of regional studies, but the studies of book culture are not only historical. The fixation of the present situation and its analysis are of no less importance than the studies of the problems of the past book history. In the theoretical context of regional studies, we still lag behind our Eastern and Western neighbours; for this reason, we often solve contemporaneous historiographical problems rather than trying to find the continuity of the forms of regional book culture. From the positions of the book culture paradigm of V. Vasiliev, the majority of the aspects of book culture have been more or less explored, except for the problems of book art. The challenge for future studies is the search for theoretical and methodological decisions allowing the evaluation of regional book culture as a form of regional cultural expression.
Regional studies are not ends in themselves; they have a clear methodological basis – regionalism – promoting the complex look at these studies, as well as the search for distinctive forms of regional cultural expressions. In Lithuania, century-long regional studies of book culture have survived an uneven evolution. It was influenced by the instability of the evolution of regionalism, the processes of sovietisation, and the inaction of current regional policy in the country. In the context of Eastern Europe, regional studies have not significantly lagged behind the general development of book science; thus, the attention to them has always remained fairly consistent. The largest historical gains are achieved by the studies of Lithuania Minor, started in the 20th century by Prof. V. Gaigalaitis and A. Bruožis, and in the 70s taken over and qualitatively developed by Prof. D. Kaunas. The most important historiographical achievement is the assessment of an autonomous concept of book culture in Lithuania Minor. It has been achieved by a consistent and systematic investigation of the press, publishing, library and book trade history in this region. Regional studies of the biggest regions of Lithuania – Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia – differ significantly among themselves. Prof. V. Biržiška, who was the first to formulate the concept of the book of Samogitia, had given a positive shift in developing the further studies of this region. Despite the lack in generalising works, localized studies, as well as the analysis of individual issues facilitate the favourable conditions for the reconstruction of a multi-faceted picture of book culture in Samogitia. The maturity of studies in the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia is considerably more modest – library studies are mainly developed, a smaller extent of book distribution is noticed. Therefore, a more broadly developed analysis of individual questions cannot represent the direction of regional studies. In general, regional studies lack social sections; consequently, the relationships of the inhabitants of different regions to the book are still difficult to imagine. From the institutional point of view, there is a lack of the concentration of regional study centres; as a result, the history research centres operating either in Klaipėda or in Šiauliai pay little attention to the problems of regional book history, and the researchers engaged in this activity do not always manage to overstep the boundaries of Šiauliai and Klaipėda cities. Since the middle of the 20th century, the most famous centre of the concentration of book science studies has been the one established in the Vilnius University; for this reason, representatives of library science and book studies in the regional studies accumulated the majority of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The historical past of the regions of Lithuania has a direct link to the maturity of regional studies, but the studies of book culture are not only historical. The fixation of the present situation and its analysis are of no less importance than the studies of the problems of the past book history. In the theoretical context of regional studies, we still lag behind our Eastern and Western neighbours; for this reason, we often solve contemporaneous historiographical problems rather than trying to find the continuity of the forms of regional book culture. From the positions of the book culture paradigm of V. Vasiliev, the majority of the aspects of book culture have been more or less explored, except for the problems of book art. The challenge for future studies is the search for theoretical and methodological decisions allowing the evaluation of regional book culture as a form of regional cultural expression.
The purpose of the Lithuanian Migration and Diaspora Studies cluster is to investigate problems associated with the origins of the Lithuanian diaspora and with its cultural, political, and social activities as well as to carry on and to further systematic interdisciplinary research on transnational migration and diaspora processes. The cluster joins scholars from various disciplines (historians, litterateurs, sociologists, lawyers, ethnologists), who analyze episodes of émigré history, culture, and literature and investigate the academic, intellectual, and cultural activities of émigré organizations and personalities; changes in their conceptions of ethnic and national identity; and issues of adjustment and preservation of Lithuanianness. Much attention is paid to Lithuanian migration policy research in the context of the comparative migration policy. Cluster objectives are realized through research, preparation of scientific conferences, seminars, participation in research projects. The research results are published in periodicals, monographs, source publications and studios.
The purpose of the Lithuanian Migration and Diaspora Studies cluster is to investigate problems associated with the origins of the Lithuanian diaspora and with its cultural, political, and social activities as well as to carry on and to further systematic interdisciplinary research on transnational migration and diaspora processes. The cluster joins scholars from various disciplines (historians, litterateurs, sociologists, lawyers, ethnologists), who analyze episodes of émigré history, culture, and literature and investigate the academic, intellectual, and cultural activities of émigré organizations and personalities; changes in their conceptions of ethnic and national identity; and issues of adjustment and preservation of Lithuanianness. Much attention is paid to Lithuanian migration policy research in the context of the comparative migration policy. Cluster objectives are realized through research, preparation of scientific conferences, seminars, participation in research projects. The research results are published in periodicals, monographs, source publications and studios.
The purpose of the Lithuanian Migration and Diaspora Studies cluster is to investigate problems associated with the origins of the Lithuanian diaspora and with its cultural, political, and social activities as well as to carry on and to further systematic interdisciplinary research on transnational migration and diaspora processes. The cluster joins scholars from various disciplines (historians, litterateurs, sociologists, lawyers, ethnologists), who analyze episodes of émigré history, culture, and literature and investigate the academic, intellectual, and cultural activities of émigré organizations and personalities; changes in their conceptions of ethnic and national identity; and issues of adjustment and preservation of Lithuanianness. Much attention is paid to Lithuanian migration policy research in the context of the comparative migration policy. Cluster objectives are realized through research, preparation of scientific conferences, seminars, participation in research projects. The research results are published in periodicals, monographs, source publications and studios.
The purpose of the Lithuanian Migration and Diaspora Studies cluster is to investigate problems associated with the origins of the Lithuanian diaspora and with its cultural, political, and social activities as well as to carry on and to further systematic interdisciplinary research on transnational migration and diaspora processes. The cluster joins scholars from various disciplines (historians, litterateurs, sociologists, lawyers, ethnologists), who analyze episodes of émigré history, culture, and literature and investigate the academic, intellectual, and cultural activities of émigré organizations and personalities; changes in their conceptions of ethnic and national identity; and issues of adjustment and preservation of Lithuanianness. Much attention is paid to Lithuanian migration policy research in the context of the comparative migration policy. Cluster objectives are realized through research, preparation of scientific conferences, seminars, participation in research projects. The research results are published in periodicals, monographs, source publications and studios.
The purpose of the Lithuanian Migration and Diaspora Studies cluster is to investigate problems associated with the origins of the Lithuanian diaspora and with its cultural, political, and social activities as well as to carry on and to further systematic interdisciplinary research on transnational migration and diaspora processes. The cluster joins scholars from various disciplines (historians, litterateurs, sociologists, lawyers, ethnologists), who analyze episodes of émigré history, culture, and literature and investigate the academic, intellectual, and cultural activities of émigré organizations and personalities; changes in their conceptions of ethnic and national identity; and issues of adjustment and preservation of Lithuanianness. Much attention is paid to Lithuanian migration policy research in the context of the comparative migration policy. Cluster objectives are realized through research, preparation of scientific conferences, seminars, participation in research projects. The research results are published in periodicals, monographs, source publications and studios.
The purpose of the Lithuanian Migration and Diaspora Studies cluster is to investigate problems associated with the origins of the Lithuanian diaspora and with its cultural, political, and social activities as well as to carry on and to further systematic interdisciplinary research on transnational migration and diaspora processes. The cluster joins scholars from various disciplines (historians, litterateurs, sociologists, lawyers, ethnologists), who analyze episodes of émigré history, culture, and literature and investigate the academic, intellectual, and cultural activities of émigré organizations and personalities; changes in their conceptions of ethnic and national identity; and issues of adjustment and preservation of Lithuanianness. Much attention is paid to Lithuanian migration policy research in the context of the comparative migration policy. Cluster objectives are realized through research, preparation of scientific conferences, seminars, participation in research projects. The research results are published in periodicals, monographs, source publications and studios.
The scientific cluster 'Research in Multilingualism and Language Development in a Context of Globalisation' is an interdisciplinary group of linguists, psycholinguists, sociolinguists, and political scientists who share an interest in language and culture studies. Our research focuses on language and culture sciences from a diverse set of perspectives. These include: first language acquisition; typical and atypical language development; developmental psycholinguistics; language and culture studies; language politics. Using sophisticated (psycho-) linguistic and social sciences' methods such as longitudinal observation, experimental studies, corpus linguistics, etc., members of the Cluster seek to learn about the language acquisition, development and change in the multicultural and multilingual settings. Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic studies also should be noted. Our many national and international collaborations with higher educational institutions, schools, trade communities and organizations provide opportunities for our members and students to gain valuable research experience and to share it among researchers and practitioners.
The scientific cluster 'Research in Multilingualism and Language Development in a Context of Globalisation' is an interdisciplinary group of linguists, psycholinguists, sociolinguists, and political scientists who share an interest in language and culture studies. Our research focuses on language and culture sciences from a diverse set of perspectives. These include: first language acquisition; typical and atypical language development; developmental psycholinguistics; language and culture studies; language politics. Using sophisticated (psycho-) linguistic and social sciences' methods such as longitudinal observation, experimental studies, corpus linguistics, etc., members of the Cluster seek to learn about the language acquisition, development and change in the multicultural and multilingual settings. Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic studies also should be noted. Our many national and international collaborations with higher educational institutions, schools, trade communities and organizations provide opportunities for our members and students to gain valuable research experience and to share it among researchers and practitioners.
