Nicosia
Nov 2024
History
On November 28-29, 2024, the University of Cyprus Library (Stelios Ioannou Learning Resource Center) in Nicosia hosted the Society of the History of War (SHoW) Conference, bringing together 94 academics, researchers, and PhD students from 21 countries, including Greece, Ireland, Poland, Canada, and the United States. This year it has held a unique significance, as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus in 1974, a poignant reminder of the island’s ongoing occupation and its enduring legacy of conflict.
Under the theme “Legacies of War and Violence,” the conference built upon the tradition of its predecessors held in Amsterdam (2022) and Lisbon (2023). The event successfully fostered scholarly dialogue, interdisciplinary inquiry, and cross-cultural exchange, addressing both historical and contemporary issues tied to war and violence. In addition, participants engaged in discussions that explored how war reshapes societies influences cultural memory, and drives political and economic transformations.
The conference was organized in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Museum of the National Struggle of the Republic of Cyprus, the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Cyprus, the Department of Politics and Governance of the University of Nicosia, and the Council of Historic Memory of the EOKA Struggle 1955-1959.
Dr. Maria Hadjiathanasiou (Museum of the National Struggle and University of Nicosia) chaired the local organizing committee, which included SHoW members Matthew Ford, Samuël Kruizinga, Constantinos Adamides, Petros Papapolyviou, and Graça Almeida Borges.
The invited keynote speaker, Professor Martin Thomas of the University of Exeter, delivered an insightful lecture on how the impact of war and violence lingers long after hostilities cease.
Two thought-provoking roundtables captivated the audience at the SHoW 2024 Conference, fostering insightful discussions and intellectual exchange. Professor Kim Wagner of the Queen Mary University of London chaired the first roundtable, titled “Colonial Violence and Its Legacies: A Transimperial Perspective“. This session emphasized the enduring impact of colonial violence across different imperial systems, offering a comparative lens to understand its legacies.
The second roundtable, “Re-assessing the End of the Second World War and Its Aftermath in Contemporary European History and Memory,” was chaired by Professor Camilo Erlichman of Maastricht University. This discussion provided a critical reevaluation of how the conclusion of World War II and its repercussions continue to shape historical narratives and collective memory in Europe.
The Society of the History of War continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the study and understanding of war in history. Through events like this conference, the Society encourages an open, interdisciplinary dialogue to examine how war has been prepared for, organized, and conducted across cultures and time. Beyond the central focus on the history of warfare, these discussions highlight the broader implications of conflict on societal and global changes.
Looking ahead, the SHoW 2025 Conference will assemble next November in Potsdam, Germany, a city of enormous historical significance. Known as the site where world leaders redrew the geopolitical map at the Potsdam Conference in 1945, the city offers a fitting backdrop for discussions on war and its legacies. Potsdam is also celebrated for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the stunning Sanssouci Palace and Park, a masterpiece of Rococo architecture, and the Babelsberg Palace, a symbol of Prussian grandeur. Delegates will have the opportunity to explore this city steeped in history, art, and culture.
The success of SHoW Conference 2024 was facilitated by EasyConferences, which provided online registration services, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.
Finally, participants are encouraged to share their photos from the event on the society’s social media platforms, contributing to the vibrant community of scholars dedicated to studying war and its consequences.
