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"The view across the Channel"

The Centre for British Studies of Humboldt-Universität is celebrating its 25th anniversary

When the Centre for British Studies (GBZ) of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) was founded 25 years ago, no one could have foreseen the current role shift of Great Britain in the European structure. In 1995, the institute was an initiative of the Berlin House of Representatives to recognise the merits of the victorious allied power around the divided city of Berlin. It was to research political and social science, law, literature, cultural studies and historical issues of the UK and of German-British relations. The fact that public lectures were already part of the programme at the time of its foundation was a trend-setting feature.
The M.A. British Studies course, which opened in 1999, has so far been attended by almost 500 students from all over the world. The Centre for British Studies has long since begun to look at the United Kingdom not only from a German perspective, but also in its European and global contexts.

The Brexit

Brexite therefore means more than just a historical experience for the employees. "In a way, it is an application of our knowledge," explains director Prof. Christiane Eisenberg, a historian. The brexit has a direct impact on the institute: "On the one hand, it stimulates our business. On the other hand, it hinders the conduct of this business at all levels - in research organization, in studies and in exchange with British institutions. However, we are unwavering in our vigour!"
This is demonstrated, among other things, by a current Oxford-Berlin cooperation project. In cooperation with the Bodleian Library, the Stephen Spender Foundation and the John Fell Fund Oxford, the Literaturhaus Berlin, the Gay Museum and the GBZ are working on the exhibition "I am a Camera. Berlin Through the Eyes of English Writers", which will open in the summer of 2021 and be accompanied by an extensive programme of events.

Online exhibition for the anniversary: Britons in Berlin

Already on July 3 this year, just in time for the anniversary, the exhibition "100 Years of Britons in Berlin: From the Golden Twenties to the 2020s" will go online. The exhibition shows how Britons experienced Berlin in the last century - and how they in turn influenced Berlin society. The exhibition was curated entirely by students of the GBZ. It will be shown from 3 July at https://british-berlin.com/.

Due to the Corona situation, the actual celebration of the anniversary cannot take place until next year.

Further information

Website of teh Centre for British Studies

Online-Exhibition "Britons in Berlin"

Contact

Sonya Permiakova, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Centre for British Studies, Phone: +49. 30. 2093-99043,
E-Mail: permiaso@hu-berlin.de