Registration​ now open - click here

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Interactions: is a gathering of art, literature and history researchers from all over the world, interested in the medieval period and its legacies. Staged as part of the wider annual Othello's Island Conference on Medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern Studies, now in its seventh year, the event is an opportunity to hear and discuss interesting new research by academics and research students, in one of the key settings of the medieval world, the capital of the Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus, Nicosia.

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Our main theme is interactions and so we are particularly interested in the diverse ways in which different cultural groups interacted, saw themselves and others, and imagined other peoples.

 

However, papers outside of this theme are also welcomed, including on the legacies of medieval art and literature in later periods. This can include papers looking at artefacts from late antiquity through to the end of the medieval period, and at objects and histories from the western and non-western worlds, architectural history, Byzantine art and literature, and related fields, such as art and literature in the muslim world, during the period.

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The lead academics for the Colloquium will be Dr Sarah James, of the University of Kent, and Dr Jane Chick and Dr Richard Maguire, both of the University of East Anglia. As well as the presentation of papers, this year we hope to trial a round-table discussion looking at developing themes in the study of medieval travel writing and cultural interactions, and the teaching of the subject in schools, colleges and universities. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to us in Cyprus during the conference, and we will be able to hold this in a relaxed atmosphere, outside under the trees at CVAR! 

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Our hosts for the colloquium, the Centre for Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), is located in the centre of the old town of Nicosia, capital of Cyprus. In its medieval streets, surrounded by the huge Venetian walls, you will find lovely museums, shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as medieval and renaissance buildings, harking back to the medieval and renaissance period, when Cyprus was ruled by the French Lusignan royal family. Perhaps most notable of the house was the last Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, whose portrait was painted by Giorgione, Titian and other Renaissance artists.

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As in previous years, by sharing the CVAR facilities with the simultaneous Othello's Island Conference on Medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern Studies, delegates attending the Colloquium will also have the opportunity to attend its conference talks and other events, including a special coach trip to see the stunning UNESCO-listed Byzantine painted churches of the Troodhos Mountains on 18 April.

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CALL FOR PAPERS - DEADLINE 31 JANUARY 2019

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​If you would like to submit a paper for possible presentation at the conference please send an abstract and a brief  CV (resumé) by e'mail to arrive not later than 31 January 2019. 

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Papers should be no longer than twenty minutes in length.

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The abstract should include:

 

• your full name

• your institutional affiliation (if any)

• your e'mail address

• the title of your proposed paper

• your abstract (must be in English and not longer than 300 words long).

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In general we will try to let you know if your paper has been accepted not later than 28 February 2019. If you require a decision before 28 February 2019 ​on whether your paper will be included in the colloquium, please indicate this in your e'mail. Usually this will be because you need to make a funding application or other arrangements.

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Papers can only be presented in person. We are sorry, we do not allow proxy or Skype-style presentations.

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All proposals should be sent to Dr Michael Paraskos at info@othellosisland.org with the subject line Medieval 2019

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If you have any questions please e'mail Dr Michael Paraskos at info@othellosisland.org