Transnational Forum Colonialism and Peripheries – Finland and Romania

Overview

The transnational forum shared between Finland and Romania examined the manner in which the concept of colonialism has been employed as a rhetorical device in the context of right-wing ideologies, as well as its function as a narrative of reference. It facilitated discussions on shared histories, and specifically how the notion of colonialism plays into geopolitical imaginaries of Russia and how it plays into far-right movements.  The inaugural event was held in Bucharest at the University of Bucharest on 7 November, convening three speakers and the audience for a discourse on the notion of colonialism as a form of critique and mobilisation. Dana Dolghin presented a discussion on the contemporary relevance of colonialism in right-wing discourses, with a particular focus on its role in European identity debates. Professor Bogdan Ștefănescu explored the concept of trauma in relation to postcolonialism and postsocialism. Robert Tygg presented a discussion on the utilisation of colonialism by right-wing movements in Finland. On 20th November, an event in Helsinki revisited these themes. In this session, the presentation by Dr. Erkki Tuomioja (Historians without borders, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland) explored the notion of colonialism in the context of the geopolitical imagination of Finland’s relationship with Russia, particularly in the context of Finland’s perception as a small state. Dr. Dana Dolghin then discussed the notions of colonialism present in the politics of the Antonescu regime, primarily concerning Transnistria, and the implications of these for the deportations and murder of the Jewish and Roma communities.  Concurrently, the RKI team approached the concept of colonialism as it pertains to the Sami groups in Finland.