The Reception of René Girard’s Thought in Central and Eastern Europe

Ten years ago, René Girard, the French-American anthropologist and literary scholar, passed away. This anniversary provides an opportunity to revisit his ideas, particularly mimetic theory he developed, and to acknowledge its ongoing influence in contemporary academic circles. This article focuses on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), examining the influence of Girard’s ideas in this region. Poland stands out among them. This lends weight to the idea that Catholicism has a positive impact on the willingness to engage with mimetic theory. The reception of Girard’s ideas is examined through books and scholarly articles, as well as through direct communication with academics who were invited to complete a questionnaire. The survey included questions about the application of mimetic theory in academic research, scholars’ and students’ reactions to Girard’s ideas, and publications inspired by his work. It also asked about Girard’s personal impact on the respondent’s lives. Responses from over 60 scholars proved particularly insightful. The research indicates that René Girard’s ideas are well known and actively employed as a methodological framework by scholars in the CEE countries. However, regular gatherings dedicated to this field remain scarce. The annual symposia organised by the Colloquium on Violence and Religion do not suffice, as few scholars from the region participate and even fewer hold membership of the organisation.