J.E.Trojer: Fieldwork & Literature as Memory Work

The object of this research project is to analyse the largely unknown works of the East Tyrolean writer, linguist, historian and ethnologist Johannes E. Trojer (1935-1991), which are of particular interest not only because of the broadness and quality of the material they provide, but also because of their interdisciplinary approach. The study will primarily focus on one essential aspect of Trojer`s memory work, i.e. the mutual influence between Trojer`s literary explanation of the world and his historical and ethnological (re-)construction of the past, the results of which still meet with suspicion and disapproval in the Villgraten Valley, where Trojer lived and worked. A four- volume edition is planned to make Trojer`s literary and journalistic works (volume 1), his research on contemporary history (volume 2) and a representative selection of articles from the cultural journal Thurntaler he edited (volume 3) available to the public and to document the innovative methods he applied in his work and thinking (volume 4). An interdisciplinary overview of Trojer`s works in a well researched and hence reliable edition is of great necessity to research in general and could be realized in this project. In addition, the study about Trojer`s memory work will use a completely new approach to combine philological research on the objectivization of memory processes with the results of research on memory from the point of view of cultural studies. Concepts of memory in literary studies will be referred to as far as they can help to explain the relationship of Trojer`s literary works to other memories. As his literary works are partly based on his notes taken over many years about the communicative memories of the Villgraten Valley`s inhabitants, notes which he stylised and brought into focus, an analysis of these works will consider the cultural context of remembering. Failing to do so would make it impossible to reveal implicit procedures like relations of contrast and correspondence within his texts, which deal with fragile concepts of collective identity. Furthermore the degree of interconnection between Trojer`s literature and the themes of memory and identity will be examined. Trojer`s works, which contain a number of documents on personal and other people`s memories, offer the rare opportunity to explain the mutual influence of individual and collective memory, using a single source of material. This approach promises to deliver insights into stereotype notions about what is ours and what is others`, about what is worth remembering and what is not. In this context the hidden and open conflicts resulting from the dynamics of co-existing and competing memories will be given special attention to.

The object of this research project is to analyse the largely unknown works of the East Tyrolean writer, linguist, historian and ethnologist Johannes E. Trojer (1935-1991), which are of particular interest not only because of the broadness and quality of the material they provide, but also because of their interdisciplinary approach. The study will primarily focus on one essential aspect of Trojer`s memory work, i.e. the mutual influence between Trojer`s literary explanation of the world and his historical and ethnological (re-)construction of the past, the results of which still meet with suspicion and disapproval in the Villgraten Valley, where Trojer lived and worked. A four- volume edition is planned to make Trojer`s literary and journalistic works (volume 1), his research on contemporary history (volume 2) and a representative selection of articles from the cultural journal Thurntaler he edited (volume 3) available to the public and to document the innovative methods he applied in his work and thinking (volume 4). An interdisciplinary overview of Trojer`s works in a well researched and hence reliable edition is of great necessity to research in general and could be realized in this project. In addition, the study about Trojer`s memory work will use a completely new approach to combine philological research on the objectivization of memory processes with the results of research on memory from the point of view of cultural studies. Concepts of memory in literary studies will be referred to as far as they can help to explain the relationship of Trojer`s literary works to other memories. As his literary works are partly based on his notes taken over many years about the communicative memories of the Villgraten Valley`s inhabitants, notes which he stylised and brought into focus, an analysis of these works will consider the cultural context of remembering. Failing to do so would make it impossible to reveal implicit procedures like relations of contrast and correspondence within his texts, which deal with fragile concepts of collective identity. Furthermore the degree of interconnection between Trojer`s literature and the themes of memory and identity will be examined. Trojer`s works, which contain a number of documents on personal and other people`s memories, offer the rare opportunity to explain the mutual influence of individual and collective memory, using a single source of material. This approach promises to deliver insights into stereotype notions about what is ours and what is others`, about what is worth remembering and what is not. In this context the hidden and open conflicts resulting from the dynamics of co-existing and competing memories will be given special attention to.