The seminar led by Nils Fischer, Head of the Middle East Department, started with a discussion with Auxiliary Bishop Dr Dr Anton Losinger about (external) political-cultural divides using the example of the war in Ukraine and (internal) ethical-anthropological principles in the production of artificial embryos. Both are current conflicts which were discussed from the point of view of the self-image of researchers as individuals as well as members of the community. The various aspects, dimensions and levels of identity and culture were hold in conversation with Anton Losinger.
In an artistic workshop with graphic and typography designer Verena Gerlach (Berlin), the participants created an individual project idea against the background of their personal perception of the city of Augsburg, i. e. a project which they would like to realise in their home countries. The participants had already informed themselves about Augsburg before the seminar and explored the city in small groups using their prior knowledge and focussing on their project ideas. In Augsburg they collected diverse impressions in the form of photos, drawings, notes and information material. After returning to the seminar house, they illustrated their project plans and prepared poster collages. Due to similar project ideas, some intercultural and multidisciplinary group projects emerged. The ideas included, for example, a water use concept for a particularly dry region in Kenya, special kiosks for Vietnam in which not only drinks and snacks but also regional products could be sold, or Bavarian-Argentinean fusion chair designs. Particularly from the group work, complex but realistic projects developed, such as that of a school backpack adapted to each region and produced locally with materials and know-how.
Finally, the participants worked out the complexity of the identity of the Habsburg monarchy with Prof Dr Günther Kronenbitter (University of Augsburg) using the concrete example of texts from German literature (Stefan Zweig’s “The World of Security” from his memoir “The World of Yesterday” and Robert Musil’s “Kakania” from his novel “The Man Without Qualities”). In his lecture, Günther Kronenbitter showed the complexity of the identity of the Habsburg Empire and the events, factors, groups and individuals that shaped, criticised and reinterpreted it. In the ensuing debate, analogies to the European Union and also to the Soviet Union were discussed. In this process, the question of the extent to which a common identity is possible against the backdrop of regional diversity came into focus.
At the end of the seminar, the group visited the State Textile and Industry Museum in Augsburg and learned how cultures, identities, techniques and economy come together locally, regionally and globally in one product, using the historical example of fabric production.
The meditations and the church service, in which songs from all the participants’ home regions were sung and peace and reconciliation for all were prayed for, were celebrated by our spiritual advisor Father Prof Dr Ulrich Engel OP and co-organised by the participant Father Altus Jebada SVD. In personal reflections and common prayer, all shared the connectedness in the spiritual community.
In the final reflection, the participants noted that a new collective identity had emerged among them as a result of the seminar, consisting of everyone having reached a common understanding of their own perception and the perception of others.
