On 12 and 13 September 2025, the Faculty of Arts UPJŠ in Košice hosted the prestigious biennial international scientific conference East Meets West: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on America’s Changing Image. The event was organized by the Department of British and American Studies, Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ, in cooperation with the Czech and Slovak Association for American Studies (CSAAS).
The conference brought experts from Europe, Asia, and the US to Košice to discuss the literary, cultural, historical, and political aspects of the United States, and how its image is changing in a global context.
The distinguished speakers were:
- Prof. Stephen Wooten (University of Oregon, USA), anthropologist and expert on global studies,
- Prof. Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng (New York University, USA), sociologist and specialist in ethnic studies,
- Assoc. Prof. Michaela Weiss (Silesian University in Opava, Czech Republic), specialist in American Jewish literature,
- Dr. Matej Cibík (Central European University, Vienna, Austria), philosopher focusing on ethics and political philosophy.
The programme included plenary lectures, panel discussions, as well as sessions dedicated to doctoral students and early-career researchers. Participants appreciated not only the academic quality, but also the unique atmosphere of Košice, often referred to as the “metropolis of the East.”
East Meets West is held every two years under the auspices of CSAAS and has so far taken place in various cities across the Czech Republic. Košice became the first Slovak city to host this prestigious event, opening a new chapter in the history of this biennial tradition.
The conference confirmed that strong international connections are of great value to our faculty and university. Despite today’s global challenges, it remains essential to continue education, foster open dialogue, and exchange experiences across cultures and disciplines.
The biennial tradition once again fulfilled its mission — to provide a platform for international dialogue and new perspectives in American Studies. The next conference will return to the Czech Republic.
Text: Mgr. Zuzana Buráková, PhD.
Conference Organizer, Department of British and American Studies, Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ
Translation: Mgr. Natália Rubeljová
