27th OBDOBJA SYMPOSIUM

THE REFORMATION IN SLOVENE LANDS
(ON THE 500th ANNIVERSARY OF TRUBAR'S BIRTH)

Dear Colleague,

You are cordially invited to take part in the 27th Obdobja International Symposium, organised by the Centre for Slovene as a Second/Foreign Language, the Department of Slovene Studies at the University of Ljubljana's Faculty of Arts, which will take place from 20th to 22nd November 2008.

This event combines the earlier concept of the symposium, which in 1979 began to deal with the literature, language and culture of particular periods (such as the 16th century, the Baroque, the Enlightenment and the Romantic period in Slovene-speaking areas), with the newer concept, initiated in 1992, which considers research methods (historicism) as well as linguistic and artistic varieties (the Slovene sonnet, the Slovene novel, Slovene dialects). For this reason, we expect papers that deal with Reformation literature, language, music, fine art and ideology, including their reception, as well as past and present evaluations of the period; we shall also be dealing with varieties and genres of Reformation and general religious and secular writing, with the music and art of the period, and with academic research methods relating to the Reformation.

As today's conceptualisation of the Reformation and religious reform varies, the title and theme need clarifying somewhat. The concept of the European Reformation comprises primarily the Protestant Reformation (Lutheran, Zwinglist-Calvinist and Radical/Anabaptist), but also in some respects the Catholic Revival and Counter-Reformation (the question of the relation between the Counter-Reformation and the independent Revival will be one of the themes of the symposium). The effects of the Lutheran Reformation and Catholic Revival were both felt in Slovene lands, while the Zwinglist-Calvinist Reformation had only a limited impact. The two reform movements are connected (mutually dependent in some ways, independent in others) and we would like to discuss both, but with an emphasis on the Protestant. The Slovene Protestant Reformation lasted until the end of the 16th century, with some results extending into the 17th (the persecution of Protestants), while the Catholic Revival is traditionally seen as lasting from Luther's appearance until the mid-17th century, but more recently as beginning in the late medieval period and lasting until the 18th century. For this symposium, we have adopted the traditional dates 1517 to 1630 (Hren's death).

The theme of the symposium is a very broad one, involving the literature, language, culture and social events of the period on question. The Reformation in Slovenia involved both religion (theology, liturgy, church discipline, the religious observance of ordinary people) and the formation of the standard Slovene language, linguistics, theological terminology, Slovene printed literature, teaching in Slovene and other fields. The thematic core of the symposium is thus the Protestant Reformation but also the Catholic Revival and the humanism of the 16th and early 17th century. If this period is delineated by names, then they are those of the Protestants, their supporters and initiators, such as Trubar, Krelj, Dalmatin, Bohorič, Juričič, Tulščak, Schweiger, Savinec, Znojilšek, Trost, Felicijan Trubar, Vergerij, Bonomo and Vlačić Ilirik. With regard to the work of Catholic (Counter) Reformation figures there are Tavčar, Hren, Čandek, Franciscans and Jesuits as implementers of the Catholic Revival (for example, the decisions of the Council of Trent) with regard to language, literature and culture. Finally, there are humanists with an important linguistic, literary and cultural role, such as Megiser. At the same time, we would like to discuss the continuity and status of literature in Slovene areas in different languages (e.g. Latin and German). In other words, the aim of the symposium is to capture all that was taking place at the time marked by the Protestant Reformation.

There will be two kinds of sessions: the introductory invited lectures are intended to provide an insight into the state of research in Slovenia as well as the Reformation in neighbouring and Slavic countries from a literary, linguistic and cultural viewpoint, while those in the different sections will present new findings in the specific areas listed below. With regard to papers from abroad, priority will be given to those with a Slovene studies perspective and comparative approach. We also plan round table discussions on the importance and value of the Slovene Reformation. We request contributors not to submit papers which will be presented at related symposia in the current year. The organisers reserve the right to selection among the submitted papers.

Assistant Professor Aleksander Bjelčevič PhD

President of the 27th Obdobja Symposium

THEMES

The list of themes is not exclusive: the organisers are open to suggestions. As the symposium is above all phililogical and culturological, it is desirable that theological, historical and sociological problems are addressed with regard to their wider culturological significance.

Literature, linguistics and literary studies:

The linguistic characteristics of Slovene religious writing of the 16th and early 17th century. Syntax (as a distinguishing feature of written/standard Slovene), phraseology, theological and other terminology, lexicon, morphology, orthoepics and phonetics.

Comparative rhetoric and stylistics.

The formation of standard languages in 16^th century Europe (comparative sociolinguistics).

Opportunities for researching the whole language picture of the past (from corpus-based to sociolinguistic methods).

Bible translating and the language of translations.

Problems with publishing texts in the 16^th and early 17^th century.

The language of different genres: prefaces, hymn books, sermons, theological tracts.

Explanation/interpretation of the Bible; the influence of Bible hermeneutics on the formation of literary theory.

Literary genres of the reformation (synchronic and diachronic; comparative): hymns, sermons, postils, catechisms, prayers, examples, legends, biographies, letters, theological discussions, liturgical drama.

The historical roots of contemporary literary genres. Changes or new features in modes of written communication (leaflets, open letters).

The literary or non-literary nature (hybridity) of religious writing, the function of literature, the concept of literature up to the 17^th century, fiction and religious writing, etc. The selective approach of literary history towards religious writing.

Style and composition: tropes (metaphor, symbol, allegory, parable, etc.) and figures, metrics, strophes, rhyme in hymns, narratological aspects, intertextuality, etc. The influence of traditional school rhetoric on reformation literature. Literary style vs. oral/folk style.

Imagery in Reformation literature.

The continuity and status of literature in different languages (Latin, German) in Slovene areas up to the early 17^th century.

The reception and depiction of the Reformation and other religious movements (skakači or 'jumpers', flagellants, Quakers) in Slovene literature (particularly the historical novel) and by essayists (Jurčič, Koder, Tavčar, Detela, Cankar, Aškerc, Budal, Pregelj, Kosovel, Mimi Malenšek, Rožanc etc.). Slovene academic research into the Reformation (ideological, theoretical, methodological assumptions and foci).

The reception and depiction of the Reformation in films and popular culture (music and so on).

The influences of the Reformation on folk literature.

Music:

Luther’s views on music. The Lutheran theology of music. The Wittenberg musical theorists of the 16^th century; music at Wittenberg University in the 16^th century.

Lutheran worship in the 16^th century and music. Latin and folk music genres in Lutheran worship in the 16^th century.

The international repertoire of songs in the reformed church in the 16^th century. The music of Slovene Protestant hymn books: origins. The metrics of Slovene Protestant songs and their melodies.

Slovene Protestant worship in the 16^th century and music. The presentation of worship in the Church Ordinance and the role within it of music. Trubar’s attitude to art and music.

Musicians at the Ljubljana vocational school in the 16^th century.

Musica plana and musica figuralis in Slovene lands during the Protestant period. Musical life in Slovene lands in the 16^th century. Musical-iconographic sources in Slovene lands in the 16^th century. The tradition of Slovene medieval songs.

Art, library studies and architecture in Slovene lands:

16^th century book binding, illustrated books, illustrations in manuscripts, printing and the Auerspergs’ library.

Art in Slovene lands in the 16^th and early 17^th century.

Theology, history, sociology, philosophy:

The concepts of reform, reformation and revival; the aims of reformation and reform. The independence of the Catholic Revival vs. its dependence on the Protestant Reformation. The duration of different kinds of reform(ation). Currents within Slovene Lutheranism (Flacians, Philippists).Reasons for reform in Slovene lands, medieval precursors and heresies (flagellants, 'jumpers' / skakači etc), scholastics and the Reformation, the Reformation and Islam.

The influence/effect/understanding of the Reformation among different social groups and classes.

Slovene humanists and the Reformation.

Contacts between Slovene and non-Slovene reformers (Croatian, German, Swiss, Italian, etc.).

The Reformation in neighbouring and Slavic lands: Italy, Croatia, Slovakia and Poland

Themes and issues in the works of Slovene Protestants: soteriology, the doctrine of justification, predestination (determinism and free will), the sacraments, Church doctrine (visible, invisible), Christology, teachings on God, faith, reason and revelation. The cult of the Virgin and of the Saints. Liturgy, homiletics/sermonising, catechesis.

Education: the training of priests (seminaries), lay schools.

The Reformation attitude towards the role of women in various communities (from the family upwards), the religious emancipation of women (Anabaptists, Pietists, Quakers).

The political ideas of Slovene reformers. The Reformation and Slovene national identity vs. Catholicism and Latin humanism and Slovene national identity.

Possible influences of the Reformation on the modern world: individualism, freedom of conscience, religious tolerance, the separation of church and state, human rights, liberalism, democracy, capitalism.

Past and present evaluations of the Slovene Reformation (liberal, Marxist, Catholic, etc.), the representation and use of the Reformation in (cultural and) political discourse in public media (e.g. the 400^th anniversary of Trubar's birth, the 400^th anniversary of the publication of the Bible in Slovene, the 450^th anniversary of the publication of Catechism, other religious anniversaries). Representations of Protestantism and Catholic reform within education.

VENUE

University of Ljubljana (main building, 2nd floor), Kongresni trg 12, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

PAPERS AND WORKING LANGUAGES

We will be delighted if you decide to take part in the symposium with a paper or joint paper, or by organising a round table discussion. We request that speakers limit their presentations to 15 minutes. The language of the plenary sessions will be Slovene, English and Russian, while in the sections and round table discussions the use of other languages is also possible.

IMPORTANT DATES

· Registration and handing in of abstract (to 15 lines) 30^th June 2008

· Reservation of accommodation 30^th June 2008

· Notification by the committee of accepted themes 20^th August 2008

· Final confirmation of participation 15^th September 2008

· Submission of paper (up to one author's sheet) 5^th December 2008

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

President of the symposium:

Aleksander Bjelčevič PhD, Department of Slovene Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana

[email protected]

Člani/members/члены:

Irena Orel PhD, Slovene Studies, University of Ljubljana

PhD, Slovene Studies, University of Ljubljana

Nataša Golob PhD, University of Ljubljana

Marko Kerševan PhD, Sociology, University of Ljubljana

Jurij Snoj PhD, Musicology, UL and SRC SASA, Ljubljana

Vid Snoj PhD, Comparative Literature, University of Ljubljana

Ciril Sorč PhD, Theology, University of Ljubljana

Marko Štuhec PhD, History, University of Ljubljana

Zuzana Kakošova PhD, Slovak Studies, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia

Michal Kopczyk PhD, Polish Studies, University of Bielsko-Biala, Poland

Miran Košuta PhD, Slovene Studies, University of Trieste, Italy

Zvonko Kovač PhD, South Slavic Studies, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Peter Svetina PhD, Slavic Studies, Alps Adria University Klagenfurt, Austria

Božena Tokraz PhD, Slavic Studies, University of Silesia Katowice, Poland

Organization of the symposium:

Mojca Nidorfer Šiškovič, M.A.
Damjan Huber

[email protected]

Technical editor of symposium publications:

Metka Lokar, M.A.

[email protected]

ACCOMMODATION

Participants must book and cover the cost of accommodation themselves. Addresses of hotels are provided along with the approximate cost and dates for reservations. The symposium committeee has available limited funds to cover the cost of accommodation at the pension Pri Mraku, for which participants may apply, giving reasons, at registration. For foreign participants we may be able to cover the cost of bed and breakfast, but not travelling and other expenses.

HOTELS

Pri Mraku***

Rimska 4, Ljubljana

Tel. +386 1 421 96 00

Fax: + 386 1 421 96 55

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.daj-dam.si

Single room with breakfast: 63 EUR (refer to Obdobja Symposium)

Reservation deadline: 10. 9. 2008

Distance from the University: 3–4 min.

Hotel Emonec**

Wolfova 12, Ljubljana