In autumn of 2024, Erasmus+ brought together a traveller from DENKtRäume, Germany and the Jiřina Šiklová Library in Prague, Czech Republic, to explore collaborative opportunities and share expertise Both organizations share a common dedication to preserving and researching the histories of women and minority communities. .
Institutional Matters and Expertise Integration
One of the primary topics discussed was the integration of specialist expertise from other organizations into their own work. The Jiřina Šiklová Library, operated by the NGO Gender Studies o.p.s., was founded in 1992 and has since grown into a significant resource for feminist literature and gender studies. The library’s collections, which include approximately 10,000 books, grey materials, and periodicals, cover a wide range of topics related to feminism, gender studies, women’s and men’s rights, queerness, LGBTQ+, and more.
The library also houses the Eliška Krásnohorská Archive, which contains the legacy of a prominent women’s rights activist, and the Women’s Memory Archive, featuring around 500 interviews with women socialized under socialism. These interviews, collected from various countries including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, former East Germany, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Ukraine, are part of a long-term international project coordinated by Gender Studies o.p.s. The project aims to record the life experiences and opinions of women from three generations using oral history and narrative interview methods.
National and European Collaboration
The exchange highlighted the importance of national and European collaboration. The Jiřina Šiklová Library is well-networked throughout Europe and has experience with international projects, including those funded by the EU. The discussion emphasized the need for a concept for funding applications and the importance of social media in promoting their work. The META-EU project was identified as a crucial initiative for increasing the visibility of European libraries focused on women and gender issues.
Challenges and Opportunities
Both institutions face similar challenges, particularly in terms of funding and the need to broaden their perspectives. The Jiřina Šiklová Library has a large collection of German-language literature combined with local publications from an Eastern European perspective, which could be beneficial for DENKtRÄUME in Germany. The exchange also revealed unexpected overlaps, such as the long-standing contact between the Jiřina Šiklová Library and the FrauenAnstiftung, which was founded by women involved in the establishment of DENKtRÄUME.
Future Collaborations
The Women’s Memory Archive, with its treasure trove of interviews, was identified as a valuable resource that could be further processed as part of a European project. While DENKtRÄUME in Germany could benefit from this collaboration, institutions from East Germany might be more suitable for this specific project. Both institutions have realized similar projects, such as city tours about the women’s movement in Prague and lesbian life in Hamburg, indicating potential for future collaboration and mutual learning.
Conclusion
Overall, the Erasmus+ exchange provided a platform for sharing expertise, exploring overlaps, and strengthening collaboration between the participating institutions. The insights gained from this exchange can contribute to the continued preservation and research of women’s and minority histories, fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of these important topics.