Report on the conference of the International Oral History Association in Rio de Janeiro Oral History in the Audio and Digital World (23–29.07.2023)
Report on the conference of the International Oral History Association in Rio de Janeiro Oral History in the Audio and Digital World (23–29.07.2023)

Summary/Abstract: The 2023 International Oral History Association (IOHA) conference in Rio de Janeiro holds a special significance for Polish researchers for two reasons.1 Firstly, the forthcoming 2025 conference is scheduled to be held in Kraków with the theme Rethinking Oral History proposed by the Polish Oral History Society. This theme focuses on the role of oral history during times of crisis, such as pandemics, economic downturns, and conflicts, e.g. the war in Ukraine. What is the role of researchers? What should their involvement and stance towards those in power be? The present era demands a fresh approach to conducting oral history. The promotional film for the 2025 conference highlighted that oral history is not solely an academic subject, but also involves the imperative and practice of providing a voice to those who may be excluded from official discourse for myriad reasons. The proposal from Poland was chosen unanimously at the conference, and the idea was met with great enthusiasm. Secondly, the conference also included the election of a new IOHA president and board of directors, with Jakub Gałęziowski, the president of the Polish Oral History Association, joining as a new member.

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