Conference Paper

This paper questions the possibility of teaching European Literature in the academy. Can we speak about European Literature as one coherent and cumulative teaching field? Evidently, there are problems with defining European identity itself, so the question of European literature is even more complicated and uncertain. Which and whose literary works could be incorporated in the common European literary canon, if such a canon exists at all? The building of such a canon must take into consideration many different, mainly unliterary aspects: the pragmatic aspects of literary phenomena, the literary field, market, economy, literary awards, etc. Also, postcolonial aspects are very influential, especially regarding the minor cultures and the hybrid cultures born as a result of migrations. From the other side, there are some moments in literary history that are very appropriate for European contextualization, and others which are not. For example, the period of Renaissance, or medieval culture, or the culture of 20th century, can be easily researched on a transnational level. But, there are also movements that are local and it is difficult to observe in what respect these fit into the wider European context. Theoretical and practical problems of observing European literature as a whole, based on the principles of inclusion, transculturality and overcoming eurocentricity are main points in this discussion.