Narrating cross border residential movement in the Greater Region SaarLorLux

Elisabeth Boesen, Université du Luxembourg, gives a presentation, followed by a discussion with Tatiana Fogelman, Roskilde University, and questions from participants. The webinar is free of charge, but you have to register at the bottom of this page to receive the Zoom-link.

The Greater Region SaarLorLux is an interesting case for research on cross-border movements in Europe due to the sheer volume and diversity of movements. The presentation deals with a small part of the spectrum of movements and places that characterise the Greater Region today, namely residential migration leading from Luxembourg to German border villages, and more narrowly still, with migrants of Luxembourg nationality. It argues that the specific rural cosmopolitanism that develops in this borderland is, in a way, an invitation to border studies to take a closer look at the fact that borderlands are often largely rural spaces. The label "migrant" is used to counter the idea of the mobile borderlander who easily crosses borders in search of work, consumption and housing. The analysis of relocation stories elicited in narrative interviews provides insight into ongoing individual migration processes and the multiplicity of experiences and interpretations of the border – including experiences of rural borderlessness – that accompany and to a large extent constitute this process.

This is the fourth seminar of the series Dwelling, elsewhere: Comparative-methodological perspectives on borderland inhabitation, arranged by William Kutz and the Borderland Working Group. For more information about the Borderland Working Group or to join the mailing list, please write to William Kutz at william [dot] kutz [at] cors [dot] lu [dot] se (william[dot]kutz[at]cors[dot]lu[dot]se).

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