Conferences

May 28 –June 1, 2008. "Identity and Alterity in the Making and Practice of Cults, the 2nd Hagiotheca Conference, to be held in Split, Croatia. The second conference organized by the Croatian hagiography association Hagiotheca is focusing on exploring the concepts of identity and alterity in the context of hagiography and the broader field of devotional practices. We plan to examine both the use of hagiography and devotion in the process of defining the political/cultural/religious Other and the way that this Other influenced the actual religious practice, as well as the impact of these processes on the construction of self-identity. The identity in question ranges from the level of various types of social groups to civic, regional, ethnic, and religious identity. Contact person: Ana Marinkovic (hagiotheca@yahoo.com)

June 19-21, 2008. "The Oral, The Written, and Other Verbal Media: Interfaces and Audience,": a conference and festival, at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Contact: Susan Gingell, Dept. of English, Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5, Canada (sag178@mail.usask.ca; http://www.usask.ca/english/news /Orality%20CFP.pdf).

June 24-26, 2008. "Blood in Medieval France," the Fifth Annual Symposium of the International Medieval Society, in Paris. The IMS-Paris is an interdisciplinary and bilingual (French/English) organization founded to serve as a center for medievalists who research, work, study, or travel to France. Blood had profound but multivalent significance in medieval culture. As recent work has shown, it could variously serve as a sign of life, or of death; a marker of status, or of shame; and a signifier of holiness, or of culpability. This symposium will offer a multi-disciplinary venue in which to consider the diversity of blood's meanings and function in France and as it relates to the broader European context from c. 500 to c. 1500. Keynote speaker: Miri Rubin (Queen Mary, University of London). The registration fee will be waived for IMS members (http://www.ims-paris.org).

July 3-5, 2008. "Ex Changes. Rome across Time and Space: Cultural Transmission and Reception of Ideas (c. 400-1400)." This international and interdisciplinary conference, organized by Claudia Bolgia (Univ. of Edinburgh) with the assistance of ianluca Raccagni (Univ. of Cambridge), will be held at CRASSH, 17 Mill Lane, Cambridge, U.K. Taking Rome as the pivotal point of enquiry, and covering a period of a thousand years, the conference proposes to explore the theme of cultural transmission across time (from ancient Rome to "medieval" Rome) and/or space (from Rome to her "neighbours": Anglo-Saxon England, Carolingian Francia, Byzantium, Southern and Northern Italy, Gothic "Europe," and back to Rome herself). By bringing together scholars across a wide range of disciplines and exploring how cultural exchanges work as catalysts for change in their turn, one of the aims of the conference is to offer scholars an opportunity to engage each other, and their specialties, in a productive "exchange" of ideas on the r?le of Rome in the transmission of culture throughout the Middle Ages. Contact: Claudia Bolgia, School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Univ. of Edinburgh, Minto House, 20 Chambers St., Edinburgh, EH1 1JZ, Scotland (+44-131-6504126; C.Bolgia@ed.ac.uk). For further details, programme and registration: events@crassh.cam.ac.uk (http://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/events/2007-8/rome.html).

July 7-10, 2008. "The Natural World" is the theme of the fifteenth International Medieval Congress, which will take place in Leeds. (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/ims/imc). For further information, contact: Axel E. W. M?ller, International Medieval Congress Institute for Medieval Studies, Parkinson 1.03, Univ. of Leeds, LEEDS, LS2 9JT, U.K. (IMC@leeds.ac.uk).

July 7-11, 2008. "Efficacy / Efficacit?," the 8th International Conference on Word and Image Studies, sponsored by the International Association for Word & Image Studies, in Paris. With a focus on art's "efficacy," this congress hopes to encourage contributions that combine careful analyses of images and texts with the study of practices and beliefs. Asking what an image—verbal or visual—can prompt the viewer to do should allow us to enlarge our scope beyond the traditional boundaries of relevant scholarship. Particular attention will be paid to the relationships between texts, images and politics. The work of Louis Marin and of Armando Petrucci invites us to question images and writing as a site for the affirmation and contestation of power, for instance in caricatures, pamphlets, or protest writings. The pedagogical uses of images by religious and secular institutions also invite reflection, especially as they are based on a belief in the mnemonic, didactic, and emotional superiority of the visual over the verbal. The program also addresses the performing arts. Studying the totality of these artistic practices will allow us also to reflect on the "bridges between art and life" that Aby Warburg called "intermediary forms," such as ceremonies, festivals, political rallies, as well as certain forms of propaganda and advertisement. For further information, contact V?ronique Plesch (vbplesch@colby.edu) or B?atrice Fraenkel (fraenkel@club-internet.fr; http://www.iawis.org).

July 15-16, 2008. "The BT @ the BM: New Research on the Bayeux Tapestry," An International Conference at the British Museum, London. The Bayeux Tapestry has attained near iconic status. Although extremely well known and the subject of numerous studies—because it depicts the most famous events in English history—many aspects of the Tapestry remain contentious, even enigmatic. In recent years there has been increased interest in the Tapestry and further advances in our understanding of it, with scholars examining how, where, and why it was made, questioning its reliability and value as a historical source, and excavating its hidden meanings. The purpose of the conference is to highlight new and recent research on the Tapestry, and to disseminate those findings to a wider audience, in the hope of furthering discussion, debate, and the sharing of ideas about this unique textile. Dr Michael Lewis, Deputy Head, Dept. of Portable Antiquities & Treasure, British Museum, London, WC1B 3DG (mlewis@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk)

July 21-25, 2008. The Institute of Byzantine Studies within the School of History and Anthropology of Queen's University Belfast is pleased to announce the Fifth International Conference on the Medieval Chronicle, at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland. The format of this the fifth conference will follow in broad outline the previous four conferences. The aim is to allow scholars who work on the various aspects of the medieval chronicle (historical, literary, art-historical) to meet, announce new findings, present new methodologies and discuss the prospects for collaborative research. The conference will take place on the main campus of Queen's University Belfast near the center of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Registration will begin on the afternoon of Monday, July 21, 2008. Contact: Dion C. Smythe, Institute of Byzantine Studies, Queen's University, Belfast, Belfast, N. Ireland BT7 1NN, U.K. (dionsmythe@hotmail.com).

September 7-10, 2008. "CHYMIA: Science and Nature in Early Europe (1450–1750)," an International Conference held at El Escorial, in Madrid. At San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Philip II planned a monument that would perpetuate his glory for centuries. A church for God. A monastery for the Jeronymite order. A palace for the king. A tomb for the Royal Spanish dynasty. A temple for science. It is this last aspect that, unfortunately, has received the least historical attention over the years. This temple of science hosted during the final decades of the sixteenth century some of the most advanced chemical practitioners in Early Modern Europe in its pharmacy and distillation laboratory. The monastery/palace of El Escorial will serve as a backdrop and co-host of this international conference on science and nature in Early Modern Europe. The conference seeks to bring together Spanish and international scholars of science to discuss several topics, including the role of Alchemy from recent historical perspectives. (http://www.revistaazogue.com/conference/presentation.htm). Contact: Miguel López Pérez, Organizing Committee (baeyens@revistaazogue.com).

September 15-17, 2008. “Mapping the Medieval Anchorhold: Dialogue between East and West.” Third international conference for the International Anchoritic Society at Hiroshima Shudo University, Hiroshima, Japan. Papers will cover a variety of aspects of medieval solitary reclusion in the east and west. Please note that conference costs have been kept low in order to attract as many international speakers as possible. For conference web site see http://comm.shudo-u.ac.jp/~ias3/Welcome.html. For International Anchoritic Society web site see http://www.swan.ac.uk/english/gender/IAS%20home.htm.

September 22-25, 2008. Monsters and the Monstrous: Myths and Metaphors of Enduring Evil” at Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom. This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary conference seeks to investigate and explore the enduring influence and imagery of monsters and the monstrous on human culture throughout history. In particular, the project will have a dual focus with the intention of examining specific 'monsters' as well as assessing the role, function and consequences of persons, actions or events identified as 'monstrous'. The history and contemporary cultural influences of monsters and monstrous metaphors will also be examined. For information, see http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ati/Monsters/M6/cfp.html or contact Stephen Morris, smmorris58@yahoo.com. The conference is part of the 'At the Interface' series of programmes organised by ID.Net. The aim of the conference is to bring together people from different areas and interests to share ideas and explore various discussions which are innovative and exciting. All papers accepted for and presented at this conference are eligible for publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers will be developed for publication in a themed hard-copy volume.

October 10-12, 2008. “The Angel and the Muse: Inspiration, Revelation, Prophecy” Patristic, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies (PMR) at Villanova University. Papers, Panels, or SponsoredSessions in all areas and topics in late antiquity/patristics, Byzantine Studies, Medieval Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies and Renaissance and Reformation Studies. This year’s plenary theme is The Angel and the Muse: Inspiration, Revelation, Prophecy. For more information visit http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/augustinianinstitute/conferences/pmr/.

October 16-19, 2008. The Thirty-Fourth Annual Byzantine Studies Conference (BSC) will be held at Rutgers University from Thursday evening, October 16, through Sunday lunch, October 19. The conference is the annual forum for the presentation and discussion of papers on every aspect of Byzantine studies, and is open to all, regardless of nationality or academic status. It is also the occasion of the annual meeting of the Byzantine Studies Association of North America (BSANA), conducted by the current BSANA officers. Questions concerning local arrangements may be directed to the chair of the Local Arrangements Committee: Tia Kolbaba Dept. of Religion, School of Arts & Sciences, Rutgers University 70 Lipman Dr., Loree Bldg, Rm. 112, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525 (kolbaba@rci.rutgers.edu; http://www.bsana.net/conference/index.html).

October 17-18, 2008. "The Devil in Society in the Pre-modern World," an interdisciplinary conference hosted by the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, Victoria College, University of Toronto. Keynote speakers include Richard Kieckhefer and Audrey L. Meaney. Topics include Antichrist and the end of the world; Demons and heresy; Demonic possession; Demonology and witchcraft; Demons and sceptics; Exorcism; Demons in art, literature, folklore, exempla or hagiography; Women as healers, mystics, and witches. Contact: Richard Raiswell Dept. of History, Univ. of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Ave., Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3 Canada (devilconf@ma.psu.edu).

October 18-19, 2008. “Medieval Seas,”a weekend conference to be held at Rye College, East Sussex, UK. The conference will cover matters relating to 'Medieval Seas' broadly defined, covering the period c.500-c.1500, including shipping and shipbuilding; material remains/maritime archaeology; navigation; cartography and world view; society at sea and ashore; trade; war at sea; artistic and literary expressions of the sea and maritime affairs; maritime law. Details at http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=161508.

October 26-28, 2008. "Beyond Saints and Scholars: Medieval Irish Studies in the Twenty-First Century," an International, Interdisciplinary Conference at Saint Louis University. For information, contact Thomas Finan, Dept. of History, 3800 Lindell Blvd., Saint Louis University, St. Louis MO 63108 (finantj@slu.edu) Sponsored by the American Society of Irish Medieval Studies, the Mellon Faculty Development Fund of the College of Arts and Sciences at Saint Louis University, and the Centers for Medieval and Renaissance Studies and International Studies at Saint Louis University.

December 6, 2008. "The Shape of Time in the Middle Ages and Renaissance," the Barnard Medieval and Renaissance Conference, at Barnard College, in New York. An interdisciplinary conference exploring how time was measured, represented and imagined in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Call for papers: proposals are sought to address a range of topics including the technology of measuring and organizing time, calendars, models of time including astronomical, natural, and liturgical, and the expression of time in literature, fine arts, music, theater, historiography, law and scienceContact Laurie Postlewate (212-854-2053; lpostlew@barnard.edu).

February 11, 2009. “The Hidden and the Revealed in Medieval and Early Modern Culture.” Papers exploring revelation and concealment, presence and absence in medieval and early modern texts, images and music will be presented. Other issues examined include those that interrogate medieval and early modern conceptions of hiddenness, revelation and presence: How did medieval and early modern cultures apprehend and reveal the hidden? How does the hidden reinforce the presence of the revealed? For information please contact: medievalconference@rider.edu. This conference is sponsored by Rider University and the Delaware Valley Medieval Association

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