Call for Papers. International Online Conference “Historical Clothing and Textiles in Northern and Eastern Europe”

Overview: Textiles and clothing hold a foundational place in human history, touching upon economics, technology, travel and transportation, employment, social roles, mythology, religion, environmental interactions, moral and behavioural norms, ecology and climate, and more. Textiles offer a lens through which we can view developments in trade, industry, cultural identity, and ecological impact over time. Here, "clothing" encompasses not only garments but also footwear and accessories, acknowledging the full breadth of material culture within the field.

This conference invites scholars and researchers from diverse disciplines to explore the textiles and clothing of Northern and Eastern Europe, covering a chronological span from the earliest known textiles to the middle of the 20th century. With a specific focus on the cultural, economic, and technological heritage of Northern and Eastern Europe, this event will highlight the regional distinctiveness of textile production, use, and symbolism across various historical periods. By fostering dialogue across disciplines, this conference aims to deepen our understanding of the role textiles have played across centuries in Northern and Eastern Europe, illuminating the complex cultural tapestry of the past through this essential facet of human history.

Topics: The conference seeks presentations on a wide range of topics, encouraging research that examines clothing and textiles within their social, economic, and mythological contexts, and focusing on areas such as:

• The interplay between textiles and their social, economic, and mythological contexts
• Technological advancements in textile production and their historical impact
• Gendered roles in the production and distribution of textiles 
• Ecological perspectives on the life cycle of textiles, from production to disposal
• Connections between historical clothing, textiles, and political movements
• Methodological innovations in textile research, including modern technological approaches
• A historical perspective on the development of textile research as a field

Please send your paper abstracts of 250-300 words and your affiliation to the submission portal available here by December 15, 2024. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application and will be notified if your application was successful on or before January 7, 2025. 

This conference is organized in conjunction with the annual International Scientific conference of the University of Latvia, and we aspire to establish a tradition of regular international conferences on the textile histories of Northern and Eastern Europe and neighboring regions. We also intend to publish a digital collection of abstracts, which will be made accessible to promote continued scholarly engagement and to serve as a resource for future research.

Should you have any questions about this process please don’t hesitate to contact the organizers:
Ieva Pīgozne, University of Latvia
Anete Karlsone, University of Latvia
Riina Rammo, University of Tartu
Meghan Anne Korten, University of Iceland