Exploring Historical Narratives, Future Aspirations, and Temporal Intersections in Congo Studies
The Congo Research Network (CRN) is pleased to announce its sixth international conference, “Congolese Horizons: Weaving Temporalities in Congo Studies,” taking place from January 29–31, 2025, at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU), Sharjah, UAE.
Bringing together junior and senior scholars across the humanities and social sciences, this conference fosters interdisciplinary dialogue within and beyond Congo Studies. Participants will explore the intricate intersections of temporalities with the social, cultural, and political fabric of the Congo, analyzing how various timelines, historical narratives, and societal rhythms shape lived experiences.
The conference seeks to deepen the understanding of time in the Congolese context, addressing tensions, ruptures, and continuities across historical and contemporary landscapes. As technological, economic, and sociocultural changes accelerate, the study of temporality becomes increasingly relevant in examining agency, memory, resistance, and transformation.
The event will feature a keynote lecture by Faustin Linyekula (Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice of Theater, Artist in Residence, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), UAE) and nine expert panels discussing the broader theme of “Decolonizing Congo Studies.”
Panel Discussions will cover the following themes:
- Historical Memory & Narratives: How are Congo’s past and history debated, interpreted, and contested? What role does collective memory play in shaping identity and everyday life?
- Imagined Futures & Social Aspirations: How do Congolese visions for the future influence politics, culture, and social movements? How do historical legacies shape contemporary agency and resistance?
- Time Beyond the Human – Ecological Entanglements: How do human temporalities interact with ecosystems, cosmogonies, and religious institutions?
- (Re)Invention – Technology & Innovation: How do narratives of progress, economic marginality, and global migration redefine movement and exchange in contemporary Congo?
Conference Details:
- Open to the public. Free admission. Pre-registration is required.
- The conference will be conducted in English, with French interpretation available.
- Live Streaming via Zoom:
This conference offers a vital space for critical engagement, fostering new perspectives on how temporality influences life, memory, and aspirations in the Congo. We look forward to welcoming scholars and participants from diverse backgrounds.
For more information, please visit The Africa Institute.
