A One Week Conference and Study Trip to Explore Medieval and Renaissance Cyprus

11 to 16 March 2013

Organised by Professor James Fitzmaurice (University of Sheffield) and Dr Michael Paraskos, FRSA (Cornaro Institute) with Benedict Read, FSA, (University of Leeds)

Othello's Island is a one-week conference and study programme in which we will look at Cyprus during the Medieval and Renaissance period. This was a period of time lasting almost 400 years when the island was ruled by French Lusignan monarchs and the Republic of Venice.

During that time gothic cathedrals and vast palaces were built on the island, and a culture was created that had an impact across all over Europe, including on Shakespeare.

At our base in Larnaca you will hear talks by leading experts, and be able to take part in discussions on the history and culture of Medieval and Renaissance Cyprus. We will explore ideas surrounding the influence of Cyprus on European art, English literature (including Shakespeare's Othello), material culture (including textiles) and architecture. All talks will be in English.

We will also abandon the seminar room and take two day trips to visit sites in the Cypriot landscape where it all happened, guided by experts from leading universities from Britain, Europe and North America. We will see the buildings and feel the texture of the cloth of Cyprus. And we will even sample the type of food prepared on Cyprus 700 years ago!