The World History Association 31 st Annual Meeting - DISTANCE, MOBILITY, AND MIGRATION
BILBAO, SPAIN | 23-25 JUNE, 2022
The WHA is headed to Spain! Situated seven miles inland from the Bay of Biscay, the city of Bilbao is the capital of Bizkaia Province in Spain’s Basque Autonomous Region. Over the past 700 years, the city has been an inter-imperial trading hub, a key to Imperial Spain’s maritime infrastructure, a center of resistance to fascism’s global rise, and a modern exemplar of the power of cultural tourism as an engine of urban renewal. With such a storied past, world historians should find Bilbao a compelling and exciting location in which to discuss and debate.
This year’s conference is entitled: Distance, Mobility, and Migration. For the Basque people of Bilbao, the experience of movement across great distances is a central element of their history and identity. For WHA members and friends, our conference in Bilbao offers the opportunity to present research and spark conversation addressing issues of: borders, territoriality, diaspora, industrialization, resistance, and tourism. See the call for proposals below for a full list of potential discussion topics.
Bilbao’s more recent engagement with international tourism also means that when not attending a conference session, attendees are within walking distance of many historic sites and modern attractions (among which is the famous Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry). More information will be made available soon detailing opportunities for lodging, keynote speakers, and external tours and cultural events.