ARSBN 2025 : The Pen, the Place, and the Pact: Literature, Heritage, and Diplomacy in the Baltic and Nordic Regions

The 16th Annual International Conference on Baltic and Nordic Studies seeks to explore the dynamic interplay between literature, heritage, and diplomacy in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Taking place at the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, this conference invites scholars, senior and junior researchers, doctoral students, and practitioners to delve into the profound connections between cultural expression, historical legacies, and diplomatic relations that have shaped the shared and distinct identities of these regions.


Themes for Submission

We invite submissions addressing the intersection of Literature, Heritage, and Diplomacy in the Baltic and Nordic contexts. The conference will explore how these fields intersect and influence one another, shaping the cultural, political, and historical landscapes of the region.

Literature
Literature has long served as a tool for cultural diplomacy, offering insights into the values, aspirations, and struggles of nations. In the Baltic and Nordic regions, literature has been central in expressing national identities and in transgressing the boundaries between cultures, histories, and politics. The conference seeks contributions that explore:

The role of literature in reflecting, negotiating, and shaping identities.
Literary responses to historical events and diplomatic shifts, particularly in periods of conflict or transformation.
The impact of literary figures and works in diplomatic relations, cross-border exchanges, and the creation of transnational literary movements.
The influence of foreign literary traditions on the development of regional literatures, and vice versa.
Narratives Across Borders: The Baltic Sea as a Literary Motif.
Heritage
Cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is a cornerstone in the construction of collective memory and identity in the Baltic and Nordic regions. It plays a pivotal role in shaping contemporary diplomatic relations, informing political narratives, and fostering national belonging. Papers may address the following themes:

The preservation and transformation of cultural heritage in response to political, social, and economic shifts.
The role of heritage in diplomacy, including the use of cultural diplomacy to foster international understanding and cooperation.
The intersection of historical narratives and heritage, and how they inform diplomatic discourse and relations.
The relationship between regional heritage and global cultural trends, including the impact of UNESCO designations and international heritage treaties.
Shared Heritage and Regional Identity: Preserving Baltic Sea Region’s Cultural Legacy.
Heritage at Risk: Climate Change and Preservation Challenges in the Baltic Sea Region.
The Politics of Heritage: Memory, Monuments, and Reconciliation vs Conflict in the Baltic Sea Region
Diplomacy
Diplomacy, whether formal or informal, plays a central role in the shaping of interregional relationships in the Baltic and Nordic regions. It is through diplomatic channels that cultural, literary, and heritage exchanges are formalized and given international resonance. Topics for consideration include:

Diplomacy in the Baltic and Nordic Regions: Instruments of Soft and Hard Power
Historical Dynamics of Baltic-Nordic Alliances: From the Hanseatic League to Modern Cooperation
The role of diplomacy in the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, and its impact on the international stage.
The relationship between literature and diplomacy, particularly how literary works have been employed to promote or challenge political ideologies and foster transnational dialogue.
Historical examples of diplomatic engagements that were influenced by cultural and literary ties, and how these shaped geopolitical landscapes.
The role of diplomatic institutions, embassies, and cultural centers in promoting culture across borders.
Environmental Diplomacy in the Baltic Sea Region: Nordic and Baltic Leadership in Sustainability.
We invite submissions of abstracts for individual papers, as well as proposals for panels, roundtables, and collaborative sessions. Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, with a particular interest in research that explores the intersections of history, literature, diplomacy, and cultural heritage. Proposals for papers should include a brief biography of the presenter.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sibiu, a city renowned for its cultural and historical significance, to engage in a stimulating and enriching dialogue on the enduring connections between literature, heritage, and diplomacy in the Baltic and Nordic regions.

Conference Website: https://balticnordic.hypotheses.org/conference2025
Submission Platform: https://forms.office.com/e/ph3nkNvpkD


Important Dates:

Proposals for Panels and Roundtables (approx. 500 words): January 15, 2025
Notification of Acceptance of Panels and Roundtables: February 1, 2025
Abstracts for Individual Papers (approx. 300 words): February 1, 2025
Notification of Acceptance of Individual Papers: February 15, 2025
Publication of Conference Articles: August and December 2025
Committees:

Conference Honorary Chairs:

His Excellency Mr. Artūras Žurauskas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Romania

Prof. Dr. Hab. Sorin Radu, Rector of Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu

Conference Chairs:

Prof. Dr. Hab. Silviu Miloiu, President of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies.

Lect. Dr. Anamaria Tudorie, Head of Department of Department of History, Heritage, and Protestant Theology.

Chair of the Scientific Commitee:

Researcher Dr. Bogdan-Alexandru Schipor, A.D. Xenopol Institute of History of the Romanian Academy, Iasi, & Vice-President of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies

Vice-Chairs of the Scientific Committee

Lect. Dr. Crina Leon, Al.I. Cuza University of Iasi & Chair of Scandinavian Studies of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adrian Vițalaru, Al.I. Cuza University of Iasi & Chair of Baltic Studies of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies

Members of the Scientific Committee

To be announced shortly.

Secretary of the Scientific Commitee

Dr. Andreea Dahlquist, General Secretary of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies.

Past annual conferences on Baltic and Nordic Studies:

Romania and Lithuania in the Interwar International Relations: Bonds, Intersections and Encounters, Valahia University of Târgoviste, Romania, May 19-21, 2010.
Black Sea and Baltic Sea Regions: Confluences, influences and crosscurrents in the modern and contemporary ages, Valahia University of Târgoviste, Romania, May 20-22, 2011.
European networks: the Balkans, Scandinavia and the Baltic world in a time of economic and ideological crisis, Valahia University of Târgoviste, Romania, May 25-27, 2012.
Empire-building and region-building in the Baltic, North and Black Sea areas, Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania, May 24-26, 2013.
A piece of culture, a culture of peace. Re-imaging European communities in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea regions, Valahia University of Târgoviste, Romania, August 17-19, 2014.
Historical memory, the politics of memory and cultural identity: Romania, Scandinavia and Baltic Sea Region in comparison, Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania, May 22-23, 2015.
Good governance in Romania and the Nordic and Baltic Countries, Nicolae Iorga Institute of History of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania, November 24-25, 2016.
Finland, Romania, Roma integration – Learning from each other, Diplomatic Institute of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bucharest. Romania, October 9, 2017.
100 years since modern independence and unification in the Baltic Sea Region and East-Central Europe, Valahia University of Târgoviste, Romania, November 15-16, 2018.
Dissent versus conformism in the Nordic, Baltic and Black Sea Areas, Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania, June 6-8, 2019.
Rethinking Europe in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region, online conference hosted from Târgu-Mureș, Romania, May 28-29, 2020.
ReThinking multiculturalism, multilingualism and cultural diplomacy in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region, online conference hosted from Târgu-Mureș, Romania, May 27-28, 2021.
Hegemons, warlords, and refugees, Valahia University of Târgoviste, November 10-11, 2022.
Cooperation and Controversy, Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania, May 11-12, 2023.
Dynamics of Belonging: Exploring Home and Homeland in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region, Valahia University of Târgoviste, May 23-24, 2024.
Publication
Proceedings will be published in The Romanian Journal for Baltic and Nordic Studies, vol. 17 (2025), by uploading them in the platform https://balticnordic.ro/index.php/rjbns.


The Romanian Journal for Baltic and Nordic Studies (RJBNS) was founded in 2009 as the official publication of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies (ARSBN). The journal is a biannual peer-reviewed multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary area studies journal that strives to disseminate information concerning the history, culture, languages, societies, economics, international relations, geography, science of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea area. It seeks high-quality original papers and reviews of broad scholarly interest that increase understanding of the Scandinavian countries the Baltic Sea region.

Each issue also serves as a useful bibliographic reference. Some issues have focused on specific topics such as viking studies, dissent and conformism in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region, multiculturalism, and multilingualism, but the majority have contained contributions that represent the journal’s overall aims. Some contributions are the result of Baltic and Nordic Studies conferences held with the goal of investigating the situation in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region, as well as the relationships, encounters, intersections, confluences, mutual influences, and/or parallels with other areas.

Because the journal values ethical behavior, all materials authorized for publication are subjected to an external double-blind peer review procedure.

Archiving

Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico – digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.

Plagiarism Policy

The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System’s users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.

Submission Guidelines
Articles should be submitted as email attachments in Microsoft Word format according to the submission standards outlined at https://balticnordic.ro/index.php/rjbns/about/submissions

About Sibiu
Nestled in the heart of Transylvania, Sibiu is a city rich in history and culture, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Once a European Capital of Culture (2007), Sibiu is a gateway to Romania’s heritage, boasting a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences. The city’s charm lies not only in its cobblestone streets, but also in its strategic position as a crossroads of Eastern and Western influences. Its longstanding role as a cultural hub is reflected in numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters that foster a deep connection to both local and European history.


Sibiu’s rich intellectual and cultural tradition makes it an ideal venue for the conference, which seeks to explore the intersections of literature, heritage, and diplomacy in the Baltic and Nordic regions. With a history of engaging in cross-cultural dialogue, Sibiu offers an inspiring backdrop for reflection on the role of literature and heritage in diplomatic and cultural exchanges. The city’s connection to European identity and its active role in promoting heritage preservation ensures an enriching environment for participants, offering them a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of history, literature, and diplomacy first-hand.

About Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu
Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (LBUS) stands as a beacon of academic excellence and interdisciplinary research in the heart of Transylvania. Established as a center for higher education and scientific inquiry, the university is named after the renowned philosopher and poet Lucian Blaga, whose work reflects the deep connection between culture, philosophy, and the human experience. The university’s dynamic environment fosters the development of new ideas through innovative teaching and research that spans multiple disciplines, with a strong emphasis on the humanities, social sciences, and cultural studies. The university’s collaboration with international institutions, coupled with its reputation for fostering critical thought and intellectual growth, makes it a natural host for this conference on Baltic and Nordic studies.


The Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies (ARSBN) is dedicated to fostering research and dialogue on the cultural, historical, and political relations between the Baltic, Nordic, and Romanian regions. Through its various academic initiatives, including publications, conferences, and collaborative projects, RABNS serves as a hub for scholars and practitioners interested in exploring the dynamic connections between these regions. The association strives to promote interdisciplinary approaches, engage in cross-border scholarly exchanges, and contribute to the broader European conversation on issues related to cultural heritage, literature, and diplomacy.


The ARSBN Annual Conference is a key event in the academic calendar, bringing together leading scholars and emerging voices to discuss pressing issues in Baltic and Nordic studies. This year’s conference, hosted by Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, continues the association’s tradition of providing a platform for scholarly exchange and collaboration, furthering the understanding of these regions’ rich histories and their contemporary relevance.