From January 8–10, 2025, Lisbon hosted a Joint Meeting of the CESS (Central Eurasian Studies Society) and the ESCAS (European Society for Central Asian Studies) – an International Conference on “Geopolitics, Migrations and Identities in Central Eusasia.” The aim was to help bring Central Eurasian studies to the forefront of global academic discourse.
Submissions were invited relating to all aspects of humanities and social science scholarship across Central Eurasia – a diverse region that encompasses Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia, the Black Sea region, and the Volga region.
Program
On Tuesday afternoon (January 7, Day 0), the Joint Meeting was preceded by a symbolic event: an interconfessional and ecumenical Ceremony for Light and Peace, hosted by Lisbon Patriarchy. All major religious communities of Eurasia – Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews were invited to participate in this event.
After this spiritual moment, the Welcome Dinner (offered by the organization) celebrated the cuisines of Portuguese-speaking countries and territories: a buffet of food from Portugal, Angola, Brazil, Mozambique.
The first day of the Conference – Wednesday, January 8, Day 1 – took place at the Gulbenkian Foundation; after the Opening Session, the rest of the day was dedicated to discussing the EU relations with the Caucasus and Central Asia countries: Bilateral and Multilateral Partnerships, Cooperation Agreements, Geopolitical Issues.
The second and third days of the Conference – Thursday and Friday, Days 2/3 – were hosted by two Institutes of the University of Lisbon (‘Cidade Universitária’) – the IGOT (Geography and Planning) and the ICS (Social Sciences). The University of Lisbon is one of the oldest European higher-learning institutions (created in the 13th century), and several Faculties and Institutes are in the World’s top-100 in their fields. On January 9, the day ended with a wine reception.
On Saturday morning – January 11, Day + – the Universidade Autónoma hosted the Conference Meetings, the Closing Session – and the Farewell Party, with amphora wine and a performance by a group of cante alentejano (Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage).
