North in perspective

Epistemology of an horizon

The North is a space built through history and at the same time a symbolical construction. Thus it may be analyzed in both directions : the northern part of France and the polarity opposed to the south. Both are linked : the elaboration of a territory through centuries, and its representations on different points of view, ideological, fictional, social or individual. “North in perspective” crosses fields and topics, so that history, geography, literature or arts history help thinking the “north” item both in diachronic and synchronic perspective. Dealing with various historical or social notions, Flanders, Hainaut, Belgium, “ch’ti” identity, cloudy north, or white north, the aim of this project is to characterize the North in both meanings, as polarization and as frontier area, always to be reinvented.

• Culture, arts, histoire, littératures, linguistique, civilisations [ CALHISTE ]