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Prof Stuart Hall
Photo by Welton ArauÂjo, courtesy of Correio da Bahia
and cultural globalization. The setting, in Salvador,
the most `African' city outside Africa, also led to the
themes of colonial memory and African descent.
The sub-themes of the congress were divided as
follows:
(i) Power, colony, national identity, transnationality;
(ii) Travels, diasporas, migrations;
(iii) Ethnicity, gender, class;
(iv) Memory and rituals
(v) Literature, media and identities
These themes were discussed in a total of 224
sessions.
Cultural studies played a central role in the congress.
It became clear that a fusion is taking place between
literature and cultural studies. A sharp dialogue is
taking place between literature and culture. The aim,
according to Abralic's vice-president, Prof. Eneida Leal
Cunha is `to perceive and debate literature in its
political, ethical and aesthetical dimension'.
Academics of the calibre of Stuart Hall (Open
University), Paul Gilroy (Yale University) and Gayatri
Spivak (Columbia University) were prominent speakers
at the conference.
Jamaican-born Stuart Hall gave one of two keynote
addresses at the opening and set the tone. As
doyen of cultural studies in the world, he focused on
the question of cultural hybridism and its consequences,
positive and negative. In his lecture ±
`Diasporas and the logic of cultural translation' , he
argued against closed models in studying such
themes as cultural identity, because those who feel
victimized by the diasporas of their ancestors cannot
`return home'. Globalization becomes a strong factor,
side by side with the intervention of history in the lives
of people.
Themes related to diasporas, race and ethnicity
were further discussed. In this regard, the location of
the congress was excellent. Bahia epitomizes all these
aspects in a visual and audible manner. Cultural life is
extremely rich in Salvador and one can have crosscultural
experiences by the minute, simply by walking
along the streets of the historical centre of the city.
The focus of the entire congress was interdisciplinary.
In fact, the blurring of boundaries which were
previously strict led to lively and fruitful crosspolination.
Spivak even suggested that Comparative
Literature might ally itself with Area Studies and
Ethnic Studies. Literature was juxtaposed with
Anthropology, Philosophy, History, Politics, Religion,
Education, and so on, creating a panorama of ideas
which complemented each other.
The study of African literature, Afro-Brazilian
cultural expressions and obviously Brazilian diaspora
was often expressed in studies of `memory construction'.
Travel literature was also tackled, as it highlights the
meeting of two worlds, people in transit and migration.
My own lecture formed part of the session entitled
SertoÄes, Canudos: releituras atuais (Backlands, Canudos,
contemporary re-readings), under the subtheme
`Power, colony, national identity, transnationality'.
The general consensus among the participants was
that this congress opened new avenues and new paths
for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary co-operation.
There was no sense of rigidness or antagonism as
themes were thrashed out from different perspectives.
A definite sense of enrichment emerged, which will no
doubt form a foundation for future co-operation.
The conference proceedings were of direct relevance
to academic debate in South Africa.
A typical Bahian Woman dressed
in traditional African attire
70 ISSN 0256±6060±Unisa Lat. Am. Rep. 16(2) 2000