This seminar explores the 2004 Eastern enlargement, shaped by transformative political and social changes in Eastern Europe, with a special focus on the role of Professor Bronisław Geremek. The archives of this important Polish academic and politician were recently deposited by his family at the Historical Archives of the European Union.
In 2004 the first group of East European countries joined the European Union, following deep political, economic and social transformations as well as the EU’s major unification efforts as embodied in the Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice Treaties. These parallel events defined the character of the EU eastern enlargement, and are now subjects of scholarly historical research, especially with the gradual opening up of relevant archives.
In Eastern Europe, dissidents involved in the anti-communist freedom movements paved the way for EU integration. In Poland, Professor Bronislaw Geremek stood out as a tireless champion of EU accession. An internationally recognized social historian of medieval Europe, Geremek was also involved in politics, having served as a chief advisor to Solidarity union’s leader Lech Walesa between 1980-1989. He became one of the main protagonists of democratic Poland after 1989, was a leading voice of Poland’s European aspirations and, as Foreign Minister, launched the Polish EU accession negotiations in 1998.
In a major contribution to research on the history of European integration, the family of Bronislaw Geremek signed a deposit agreement with the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) to deposit a significant portion of an archival collection documenting Professor Geremek’s international academic and political engagements.
On the event of this seminar, the contents of the Geremek fonds will be presented with the participation of the family depositor, Dr Marcin Geremek. Moreover, in an effort to assess the roots and historical developments of this specific chapter of European integration, the seminar will examine potential research paths and analyses of the multi-faceted East-West collaborations between before 1989 and the 2004/07 enlargements.
The event will be accompanied by an exhibition on Eastern enlargement and Professor Geremek, curated by the HAEU.
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