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The Idea of Newfoundland: Nationalism, Identity & Culture from the 19th Century to present

March 27th to 29th

at Hampton Hall, Marine Institute,
Ridge Road, St. John’s

Free Admission
Free Parking


Synopsis The Historical Society will provide a forum to reassess Newfoundland identity, culture and nationalism in an interdisciplinary environment. This reassessment is necessary in light of shifts in our culture, heritage, and politics. These have led to a strong resurgence in nationalist sentiments amongst many people of the province including prominent business and political leaders. Many of these leaders have called for a renegotiation of the 1948 Terms of Union. Such concerns led to the establishment of the “Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada” last year. The common thread linking these developments seems to be a profound sense of place, based on our history and culture. Rather than focusing on a single historical event, the Society hopes to foster comprehensive discussion of the relationship between history and culture, and its impact on our identity. The forum will involve scholars, members of the arts and heritage communities and the general public.


Programme

Thursday March 27th
8:00 p.m. The David Alexander Lecture. Margaret Conrad: “A Case of Mistaken Identities: Newfoundland and Labrador in Atlantic Canada since Confederation.” 

Evening concludes with Wine & Cheese Reception


Friday March 28th
8:00 p.m. Dr. Jerry Bannister: “Making History: Cultural Memory in Twentieth-Century Newfoundland”

Evening concludes with Wine & Cheese Reception


Saturday March 29th
9:30 a.m. Welcome & Introduction 
9:40-10:40 a.m. Dr. Jeff Webb: “Popular Culture and the Invention of a National Identity”Dr. Peter Pope: “How History Forgot 17th-century Newfoundland: the Myth of Retarded Colonization and the Projection of Failure on the Past
10:40 – 11:20 a.m. Coffee Break 
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Prof. Shane O’Dea: “Culture and Country: the Role of Arts and Heritage in the Revival of Nationalism”Bernice Morgan: “The Culture of Place”
12:20-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00-4:00 p.m. Panel discussion with Helen Peters, John Joy and others “The Idea of Newfoundland in the 21st Century”
7:00 p.m. Dinner at Battery $25
After-Dinner Speaker: Michael Crummey
Banquet tickets must be reserved in advance. Please contact Deborah Andrews or Rosemary Healy at 737-7476