DIIS Event

Images and the Yezidi-genocide

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Made by illustrator Mikkel Sommer from the graphic novel Shingal by Tore Rørbæk

Monday 9 December 2019, 14.00-16.00

DIIS ∙ Danish Institute for International Studies

Auditorium

Gl. Kalkbrænderi Vej 51A

2100 Copenhagen

 

This seminar focuses on the use of images in describing the genocide on the Yezidis in Iraq in August 2014.

 

The event will shed light on the current status of a minority with a unique history and identity and how this minority struggles to regain and reconstruct its identity following the genocide committed by Islamic State.

Many Yezidis from the Sinjar community, that was overrun by ISIS, continue to live in exile in the Kurdish areas and/or fear for their safety from their former Arab neighbors.

 

Currently, the Yezidis must navigate within the framework of intersecting Kurdish and Iraqi nationalisms. The approaches taken by both the Yezidi community as well as the Kurdish Regional Government and the Iraqi state will serve as a key indicator for the future for minorities in post-ISIS Iraq.

 

This seminar will highlight the position of the Yezidis as a minority living in a strategically important area where local, national, regional and international powers strive for dominance. It will investigate how history can be presented graphically, including reflections related to the use of the comic as a medium to represent traumatic events.

 

Amy Beam will give an update on the current situation of the Yezidis from Sinjar and will contextualize and discuss potential scenarios for the future of the Yezidi community in Iraq.

 

Tore Rørbæk will use the recently published graphic novel, Shingal, as a point of departure for a talk that focuses on the use of a comic to create what he considers the missing images of the Yezidi genocide.

 

Anne Magnussen will talk about how comics are used as testimonials for historical reflection and to inspire activism.

 

Speakers

Dr. Amy L. Beam, author of "The Last Yezidi Genocide." Human rights advocate for Yezidi survivors of ISIS kidnapping in Kurdistan, Iraq

Tore Rørbæk, author of Shingal.

Anne Magnussen, Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Southern Denmark

Maria-Louise Clausen, Postdoc, DIIS

 

Programme

14.00-14.10

Welcome and introduction

 

Maria-Louise Clausen

 

 

14.10-14.25

Update on the current situation of the Yazidis (on video)

 

Amy L. Beam

 

 

14.25-14.55

Researching and creating the missing images of a genocide

 

Tore Rørbæk

 

 

14.55-15.10

Coffee break

 

 

15.10-15.40

Comics as testimonials, historical reflection and/or activism

Anne Magnussen

 

 

15.40-16.00

Q & A

 

Maria-Louise Clausen

 

Practical information

The seminar will be in English.

 

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form no later than Monday 9 December 2019 at 10.00.

 

Sign up

Tilmeld

9 december 2019 16:00–18:00
Auditorium

DIIS Eksperter

 Maria-Louise Clausen
Global security and worldviews
Senior Researcher
+45 9132 5530