Dear fellow researchers,
We are seeking presenters and a discussant for a panel tentatively titled Near and Far: Cold War Cultural Exchanges Between East Asia and the Middle East. Please see the proposed panel information below. If you would like to join the panel, please send a brief abstract (250 words), a short bio (100 words), and any questions to Peiyu Yang pyang21@gmu.edu and Karlee Bergendorff dal354689@utdallas.edu by July 31, 2025. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
Karlee Bergendorff
UT Archer Center & UT San Antonio
Panel Theme:
During the global Cold War, countries across East Asia and the Middle East, though geographically distant, found themselves in parallel positions shaped by shared political tensions, anti-colonial struggles, and the search for new diplomatic alliances. This panel explores how cultural diplomacy, particularly through art and literature, served as both a strategic and symbolic tool for forging cross-regional connections and ideological solidarities. In the latter half of the twentieth century, these creative initiatives opened new avenues for international collaboration, allowing nations to build relations beyond traditional regional frameworks.
We welcome papers that examine:
- State-sponsored or grassroots cultural exchange initiatives
- The role of writers, artists, and intellectuals in Cold War diplomacy
- Cultural representations and imaginaries across the Middle East and East Asia
- Literary and artistic collaborations or translations between the regions
- Institutions or networks facilitating cultural diplomacy
- Non-aligned and Third World solidarity efforts with a cultural dimension
Early career scholars, independent researchers, and those working across disciplines are encouraged to apply. We aim to create a diverse and interdisciplinary panel.
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Karlee Bergendorff
The University of Texas at San Antonio
karleebergendorff@gmail.com
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