ARGUMENT
Of all the bipolarities defining the general trends of cultural development in the modern world, the one of greatest significance refers to the “East-West” divide. The multiplicity of cultural worlds that represents humanity tends to be recast into the meta-cultural East-West dichotomy. According to the particular situation, this dichotomy may show itself through the interaction-opposition or interaction-dialogue between cultures, with nature of the interaction dependent upon the specific conditions of the contact between these cultures, their knowledge and abilities, and their understanding of each other. It is well known that this kind of bipolarity has been a source of destructive historical events (such as in the Balkans in Europe, the Maghreb countries, etc.). However, history also offers some examples which prove the existence of the possibility of dialogic – or even trialogic – confrontation resolution (for example, the synthesis from which Moorish culture was formed when Spain was conquered by the Arabs or the Métis in the Americas). Thus, the measure of constructive contact between the East and the West depends on the extent of mutual understanding of Western and Eastern cultures as they come into contact with each other – that is bridging the divide be it on individual or societal level. Particular and specific features in the images of the East and the West should not negate things which are universal and general, that are inherent to humanity as a race. Detection of universal origins in Western and Eastern cultural traditions, as well as the comparative analysis of specific features in the subsequent development of these cultures, is one of the most important tasks of the modern Humanities.
Last year, the History specialization inaugurated this annual international conference on East-West Dialogue, which has been a great academic surprise, asa well as a success in terms of reception. It thus led to the publishing of its Proceedings and to the current second edition of the conference, with a larger international participation. We push further the borders and boundaries and continue to open ourselves up to the whole world, as Citizens of the World.
The Organizing Committee of the East-West Dialogue Conference. Second Editon, Bucharest, 1st June 2019