Music, the Palestinians, and the Missions of the West

Dr. Rachel Beckles Willson (Royal Holloway University of London)

In recent years studies in cultural 'expediency', 'agency' and 'humanitarianism' have revealed ways that scholars can examine music in conflict situations and/or regions of extreme poverty. My current book project (which I introduce in this talk) develops such an enquiry through a culture-political exploration of current European attempts to improve, through music, the lives of Arabs in Palestine and Israel. Additionally, however, the book introduces a historical dimension, juxtaposing current European projects with earlier interpolations, thus also interrogating the work of the educationalists, missionaries and scholars who engaged with the Arabs of Palestine between 1840 and 1948.

Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 4 pm
Lecture Room, Accouchierhaus (Room. 101)
Kurze Geismar Str. 1
37073 Göttingen