Historiography of Rivers

In this episode, Michał Kępski (PhD candidate at Adam Mickiewicz University) speaks with Anna Barcz (Associate Professor at T. Manteuffel’s Institute of History) about her research on the historiography of rivers. They explore how the meaning and terminology of rivers have shifted across disciplines and historical periods, and what defines or does not define a river. Their conversation highlights a gap in the literature concerning the interdisciplinary study of rivers, both as physical entities and cultural symbols. Barcz also reflects on the role of rivers in places like Poland, where the absence of major European rivers has shaped unique narratives, often linked to national identity and patriotism.