The editors invite contributions to Symbolism. An International Annual of Critical Aesthetics, an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to pursuing fundamental questions on the forms and functions of the symbolic. Symbolism publishes high-profile research on topics related to the use of figurative language, thought and signification in artistic expression and representation. While maintaining a strong literary focus, the annual also inquires into practices of the symbolic across discourses in media ranging from the cinema and painting to opera, sculpture and other arts.

In each issue, thematic sections prepared by corresponding editors from across the world present concerted research on special foci. Recent volumes have addressed topics such as "Symbols of Diaspora", "Caribbean Symbolic Forms", and "Metaphor in Autobiographical Writing". A general section collects essays on symbolic representation in aesthetic and cultural theory and practice, including their didactics. Reviews of recent publications from the field specifically address an interdisciplinary and international audience; a carefully prepared index for each volume renders the annual an accessible and valuable resource for anyone working in the disciplines of theology, philosophy, history, psychology, anthropology, sociology, literary criticism and linguistics, and others.

Symbolism is published with de Gruyter (Boston/Berlin) and distributed in print and digital form (ISSN: 1528-3623, eISSN: 2195-5115).

We welcome

• submissions from individual scholars to the general section, with contributions typically between 6,000 and 9,000 words' length
• suggestions for future special focus sections by individuals or editorial teams, with special foci typically comprising some nine to twelve essays,
• proposals for book reviews,
• and applications for outside peer reviewing purposes.

For the annual’s house style, please see http://www.degruyter.com/view/serial/205312 (‘overview’).

Please submit manuscripts to Dr Florian Klaeger at klaeger@uni-bayreuth.de. Submissions for the general section made by the deadline for this call will be considered for inclusion in the 2021 volume.