Individuals and groups respond to perceived injustices and grievances with protest. The forms of expression are diverse and interact with the conditions defined by social and political opportunity structures. Protest is a central instrument of social negotiation processes related to participation and co-determination. It thrives on publicity and attention, yet it is – especially in authoritarian contexts – often accompanied by less visible practices of resistance that take place in everyday life or in subversive, hidden forms.

Protest manifests itself not only in rallies and marches but also in artistic forms of expression: in the visual arts, in literature, and in performance. Numerous narratives refer to the evaluation and appropriation of rebellious behaviour.

The conference aims to focus on various forms of protest and resistance, their structural conditions and consequences, as well as their (current and retrospective) legitimization vs. condemnation. While protest is a global phenomenon, we are focusing on contributions that explore its manifestations in Central and Eastern Europe across different historical periods (from the early modern era to the present).

The event is interdisciplinary in nature, as is the topic itself, and encompasses the disciplines of history, political science, cultural anthropology, sociology, literary studies, musicology, or art history.