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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
The similarities between South Africa and Brazil, especially Bahia, are striking. ** The issues pertaining to diasporas, ethnicity and especially transnationality are very important for South Africa as are discussions on racism, gender and class. Globalization, a much debated theme in South Africa, was in the background of a great number of discussions at the Abralic conference, raising the issue of nationality as a counterpart to this phenomenon. It was worthwhile to witness the debate on disciplinary boundaries, as this is currently a burning issue in South Africa, arising out of restructuring processes in tertiary education. The abolishing of boundaries in cultural and national expressions is a reality which permeates all spheres of endeavour, creating an identity vacuum. A search for a new identity, merging the old and new are of the utmost importance, especially in the new South Africa in its quest towards a national identity which has a right to be singular in spite of fragmentation. All in all, the congress was a stimulating and rewarding experience. I should like to express my gratitude to Unisa's Research and Bursaries Committee and the National Research Foundation for affording me this invaluable opportunity. ÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ ** The Unisa Centre for Latin American Studies has been consistently working towards creating an awareness of these similarities, as well as those with other Latin American countries, for the past 17 years. ISSN 0256±6060±Unisa Lat. Am. Rep. 16(2) 2000 71
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VOLUME 16 NO 2 2000 UNISA CENTRE FO
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UNISA CENTRE FOR LATIN AMERICAN STU
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Editorial The wide range of interes
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ABSTRACT In an attempt to identify
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ample resources in many sectors, en
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