Slavka Karakusheva (CAS Sofia): “Patriots and Compatriots: Migrations of Turkish and Muslim Populations from Bulgaria to Turkey (1925-1939)”
Abstract: In 1925 Bulgaria and Turkey signed a Treaty of Friendship. According to its provisions, both countries agreed (not only) to guarantee protection of the other one’s minority in their lands, but also to allow the voluntary emigration of members of these minorities to the territory of the other one. This was the first agreement between the two states aimed to legalise, govern and control population resettlements, which was implemented in practice. It would set the grounds for mainly Turkish and Muslim migrations through their common border for the following decades. The research studies the historical dynamics of these migrations, analysed within the larger framework of the two nation states’ population politics, state- and nation-building processes, and practices of ethnic and demographic engineering. The study investigates comparatively how Bulgaria and Turkey developed specific strategies to homogenise the previously demographically heterogeneous territories along ethnic, religious, and cultural lines. It traces how migration flows were affected by the redefinition of citizenship and nationhood boundaries, identity categories, acceptance frameworks.
Sara Žerić (IOS Regensburg): “Migration and Development in Socialist Yugoslavia: The Gastarbeiter Factories (devizne fabrike)”
Abstract: In 1973, external migration from Yugoslavia reached its maximum number, and at the same time, the peak was also marked by the inflow of remittances from Yugoslav migrants. The Yugoslav government recognized the importance of these remittances for the economic development of the country, and the migrants themselves were willing to use the remittances if they would enable them to return to the country and work in the social sector. This is exactly how the project of “remittances factories” – that is, factories that were created by investing remittances of Yugoslav migrants in local industry – came about in the early 1970s. In this regard, the question arises – can these factors influence local development? This presentation will put forward an initial thesis regarding this type of investment in order of better understanding of these phenomena. Also, it will analyse the working model of these factories – I will present a role of the Organization of Associated Labour, the individual worker (returnee migrant) and the bank. In addition, with a critical approach to contemporary studies, I will look at the advantages and disadvantages of state policy regarding the operation of these factories.
https://uni-regensburg.zoom.us/j/62411825548?pwd=Y2pFL3V0aWNEQko2eXphQ2VJMFdTQT09
(Meeting-ID: 624 1182 5548, Kenncode: 519637)