Keeping Up with Conditions
The Century of German East European Studies
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
The German Association for East European Studies, which was originally launched for the study of Russia, was born of science and politics. The way the Germans treat their eastern neighbours is reflected in East European Studies. It is marked by fascination and enmity, embracing rapprochement and establishing boundaries, scientific findings and empirical analysis, but also by participation in war and genocide. Only since 1989 has the east found its own voice again. East European Studies, which wants to keep up with conditions, remains as exciting as developments themselves: the field is incalculable and full of surprises – because history does not stick to plans or programmes.
(Osteuropa 2-3/2013, pp. 7–30)