Islanders share unique perspectives at PEI conference

Conference participants enjoyed an evening of fiddle playing. Kathy Stuart

The Institute of Island Studies at University of Prince Edward Island welcomed scholars from around the world to the third international conference of the Small Island Cultures Research Initiative.

From June 28 through July 2, more than 40 presenters, two art exhibits, poetry readings, story telling, live music and the best of PEI cuisine delighted and informed participants from as far away as Fiji, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, and as near as Maine, Cape Breton and Newfoundland.

Research was presented that dealt with island governance structures and processes, cultural identity and symbolism, literature, the politics of island infrastructure, economic and cultural impacts of tourism, immigration and emigration and islands as terrains of fear, longing and self discovery.

The audience learned about how island traditions are becoming a tourist product in Sweden, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and the Eran Islands in Ireland.

Island musical traditions were the focus of presentations from the Aeolian Islands, Vanuatu, Jersey and the Shetland Isles. Language and media were the focus of presentations from Rotuma, Samoa, Tahiti, and Cape Breton.

Globalization and climate change featured in presentations from the Isle of Man, Fiji, Indonesia and Chuuk Atoll. Other presenters dealt more broadly with small island myths, politics and economic development.

-- Rob Snyder

For more information about this event and to access past conference proceedings please visit www.upei.ca/iis