THE FACE OF THE OTHER
Face and Violence: The Boundaries of The Human

Skopje Summer School
July 1-21, 2000
Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

AN INVITATION
We are pleased to announce the international Skopje Summer School 2000 <The Face of the Other> and to invite you to attend this year programme: <Face and Violence: The Boundaries of the Human.> The aim of this Summer School is - in a three week intensive training program, to be held in Skopje (the capital of Republic of Macedonia) - to encourage interested young faculty members and researchers from East and Central Europe to get acquainted with the field of imagology of the Other. The program was initiated by ALUMNI (Association of ex-students of foreign Universities). The organization and the financial support was provided by the Open Society Institute from Macedonia and Higher Educational Support Programme (HESP) - International in Budapest. Therefore, we can accept up to 30 participants from different countries. The main purpose of the programme of the Skopje Summer School is to focus on interdisciplinary research into the way that members of different communities perceive and represent each other in a situation of problematic ethical, anthropological and social definition of the human. This field is of a particular interest and relevance for the countries of Balkans considering the fact that this is a region with most problematic inter-ethnic and inter-gender relations that often results with violence.

THE TOPIC
It consists of relevant issues in relation to the title that will aim to clarify the sources and representations of images of violence in art, media or historic documents as a result of the visual interpretation of reality but also as a source for new violation acts over the viewers themselves. "The Face of the Other" is a title chosen in order to provoke an open discussion that should contribute to specifying and revealing the causes of inappropriate and superficial representations of the Others and to attempt to overcome the prejudices, stereotypes and misunderstandings present even among intellectuals. The fear and the violation of the face of Other and the defensive mechanisms that arise from it, are usually causing the biggest conflicts in our society that need to be overcome. The violated images of the Others are reflected through language, historical documents, literature, fine arts, film, politics, media. Therefore, the methodology used in this Summer School can only be an interdisciplinary one determining the choice of the invited lecturers among professionals in various disciplines, such as sociology, history, psychoanalysis, philosophy, art history, comparative literature theory, media and communicology. The professionals, often isolated in their particular researches, will be brought together to find the common grounds to develop the "story" of the Other and human in general and to fulfil the main goals of the school: to contribute to developing a specific strategy in the exploration of the myths, "stereotypes", and paradoxes of the Other.

STRUCTURE & CURRICULUM
The Summer School "The Face of the Other" is conceived as a three week course with different forms of presentations and lectures planned through out the whole duration of the course: lectures, panel discussions, round tables, workshops and attendance at some social and cultural events in connection with the general theme of the course. The morning sessions are reserved for theoretical introduction of the theme, 45-minute lectures followed up by organized discussions on previously announced questions. The afternoon sessions are designed as seminars and round tables as well as workshops with local specialists and artists. Ten lecturers from Eastern, Central and Western Europe will be teaching and holding the workshops. Crucial published articles on the topic will be delivered in advance in a course package.

ELIGIBILITY
Participants from different countries from Eastern and Central Europe are invited. Participants from Western  countries are also welcomed with a special fee. Position required is Teaching Assistant at University level. MA degree is preferable. Biography and bibliography of previous texts concerning the topic are required.

ACCOMMODATION
All the travel, hotel and food expenses are covered by the grants for the accepted participants. Specialized library and computer room with Internet access will be provided at the hotel.

SOCIAL EVENTS
Attendance at many social, cultural and artistic events in connection with the topic of the School will be arranged. There are going to be organized three trips to different sites in Macedonia as well as an attendance to authentic Dervishs' ritual.

DEAD LINE FOR APPLYING
Completed application forms should be returned to the address of the school. Application deadline is the 15st of April. All inquires about the conditions and criteria for applying and eligibility are welcomed. The selection of up to 30 participants will be made and the information about the results will reach all applicants at the latest by 15th of May.

CERTIFICATE
At the end of the Skopje Summer School all candidates that actively participate in the lectures and workshops, as well as composing a position paper, will receive a certificate indicating their successful attendance at the School.

Contact address:
Suzana Milevska
Skopje Summer School <The Face of the Other>
Partizanski odredi
Porta Bunjakovec Dijadema A2
1 000 Skopje, Macedonia
Tel: + 389 91 444 488
Fax: +389 91 444 499
E-mail: ssimage@soros.org.mk
Skopje is a political, economical and cultural center of the Republic of Macedonia (independent state since 1991), a modern half-million city with numerous cultural monuments (antic amphitheaters, basilicas, mosaics, churches:) remained from Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Turkish Period. For further information see www.skopjeonline.com.mk.