The 4th International Conference in the series:

Iberian and Slavonic Cultures in Contact and Comparison

under the title

"Res Publica(s)"

University of Lisbon
13 - 15 May, 2010

www.iberian-slavonic.org
compares.ibs5@gmail.com

Call for Papers

The organisers invite you to the 4th International Conference

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.

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.

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 conference will constitute the central event of the 4th Week of the Iberian-Slavonic Cultural Cooperation organized at the Faculty of Letters, University of Lisbon (10 - 17 May 2010). During this week the General Assembly of the International Society for Iberian-Slavonic Studies – CompaRes will also be held. Conference participants and other researchers from the field are welcome to join the Association. The membership application form is available at the CompaRes website: www.iberian-slavonic.org.

Thematic areas include, but are not restricted to, the following:

I. "Res Publica(s )" as a historical collective experience in Iberian and Slavonic countries and cultures:

1. Republican ideas in the creation of collective Identity and Memory:

 The relationships between republican ideas and the interpretations of national and cultural myths, missions and teleological concepts
 The role of republican traditions in constructing the collective memory and history (republican readings of the "Self" and of the "Other")
 Question of (non)existence of the specific Iberian and Slavonic traditions of republican thought and practice

2. Republican thought and practice in marking institutional relationships:

 Fusions and diffusions of republican institutions in different political regimes (monarchies, dictatorships, etc.)
 Republican attitudes towards churches and other religious institutions (Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, etc.)
 European perspectives:

- Historical shifts in Iberian and Slavonic cultures and their impact upon European republican ideas
- European Union and the republican thought and expression.

II. "Res Publica(s)" and the individual experience:

 Republicanism in the existential perspective (illusions and disillusions, traps and vantage points, fortunes and misfortunes, etc.)
 Republican thought versus individual religious experience
 Republicanism as the artistic experience and expression (artist`s living and re-living of the real and imaginative "Res Publica(s)", the phenomenon of the "Republicas literarias", etc.)

III. Reading the "Res Publica(s)" in contemporary Iberian and Slavonic cultures:

 Ever-changing meanings of republican thought, its intellectual and cultural dimensions, inspirations, ideals, etc.
 Culture, Literature and Art, broadly defined, and their interest (or its lack) in republican concepts and practice

IV. Iberian and Slavonic "Res Publica(s)" and Translation Studies:

 Translating "Res Publica(s)" in different cultures, times and spaces
 The differing functions of translation in creation and dissemination of republican topics, ideas and motives
 Republican expression conveyed by translation theory and practice
 Translating in Iberian and Slavonic cultures during the republican regimes

V. Linguistic perspectives on republican expression:

 Rich/poor linguistic tradition of republican ideas and entities (eg. the Polish Rzeczpospolita, the Portuguese Soberania popular, etc.)
 Linguistic pitfalls and solutions in naming/reviving/dooming the republican ideas and thought
 Relationships and comparisons between Iberian and Slavonic languages as conveyed in their expression of republican ideas

Proposals: Abstracts of maximum 250 words with 5 keywords for 20 min. papers should be submitted using the attached pre-registration form. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 February 2010. Only the proposals submitted by filling the spaces of the pre-registration form will be accepted. Reception of complete applications will be acknowledged by e-mail.

Selection: The Scientific Committee will select paper proposals and return their decision by 5 March 2010.

Papers: English and Portuguese are official languages of the conference. Abstracts can be submitted, and contributions given, in any of these two languages. Contributions in Portuguese should also present their title in English. However, if requested, the use of Slavonic and other Iberian languages may be considered. Authors are kindly requested not to exceed the 20-minute time allocation.

Publication: A selection of papers presented during the conference will be published. The final deadline for submission is 15 July 2010. Papers should follow the norms available at http://www.iberian-slavonic.org/yearbook.htm.
Format: Word (preferably 2000 or more recent versions); Font: Times New Roman 12; Length: 3500-8000 words (including list of references).

Registration fee: The estimated registration fee is 30 euro. Registration will be open from April 2010. The fee includes: conference material, lunches and coffee/tea. The organizers cannot provide financial assistance to the self-proposed participants of the conference, but only for its keynote-speakers; participants are requested to cover their own travel, housing and other costs.

Updates on the conference: A second circular including further information and the final registration form will be issued in April 2010. A third circular including the conference programme will be sent shortly before the conference starts. Further information will be made available on the conference website: http://www.iberian-slavonic.org

Should you have any inquiry concerning the conference, please contact us at compares.ibs5@gmail.com. We will be glad to answer your questions.