IBERIAN AND SLAVONIC CULTURES IN CONTACT AND COMPARISON: “Res Publica(s)”

The Conference will be held between 13 and 15 May 2010 at the University of Lisbon and will be truly international in its outlook, while at the same time drawing on Portugal’s rich republican experience. It intends to promote an Iberian-Slavonic debate on the differing republican concepts and traditions, as well as the corresponding cultural imprints.

Although preference will be given to contributions regarding comparative perspectives, papers presenting other angles will also be taken into account. Contributions may be approached from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds including, but not restricted to: anthropology, communication studies, cultural studies, gender studies, history, intercultural studies, linguistics, literary theory, media studies, pedagogy, political science, postcolonial studies, pragmatics, reception studies, sociology and translation studies. Both research on recently gained insights, as well as new perspectives on old ones, are welcome.

The debate in question is inspired by the 100th anniversary of the implementation of the first Republic in Portugal (5 October 1910). Res Publica, the Latin term referred to in the conference subtitle, is meant to serve as springboard to new ideas to be discussed during the event. The term is intentionally used in English and Portuguese plural, i.e., in the official languages of the conference, with a view to putting emphasis on its three crossing meanings: “public affairs”, “commonwealth” and “a study of politics”. The use of such a term is motivated by the organisers’ intention to renovate the contemporary discourse on cultural expressions of republican ideas by situating them in the Iberian-Slavonic perspective.

With its focus centred upon the literary, historical, philosophical and linguistic aspects of Slavonic and Iberian outlooks, the conference will offer an excellent opportunity to reflect upon imaginative and historical “Res Publica(s)” prevalent in different times and spaces. Its primary goal is to provide a forum for the discussion of various contributions from diverse fields and domains. Moreover, the conference seeks to contribute to the contemporary European reflection on republican ideas and practice in social and individual perspectives.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 February 2010. For all further information about submission, thematic areas, venue and contact, please go to www.iberian-slavonic.org.