(Vilnius 19-20.10.2006)

Call for Papers / Invitation to the International Conference

Conference Theme: "Solemnity and Daily Life
In East-Central Europe in the 15th - 19th centuries"

19-20, October 2006. A. Tamoðaitis House-Museum, Vilnius, Dominikonø str. 15

The conference aims to direct attention to the important solemnities
(celebrations, festivities) which were held to represent and commemorate as
well as to give a sense to the significant national holidays, religious events
etc.

Subject of the conference reflects relevant topics of the present day
humanities: note of the history of the daily life, analysis of "temporary" as
well as "marginal" phenomena, appliance of sociological and other
interpretations, which encourage interdisciplinary studies of the historical
discourse.

The notion "daily life" here means the experience of routine practice of
individuals as well as their groups, the repetitive experiences which reveal
the system of values of the society. Solemnity could be interpreted as a part
of the history of the daily life, as an element of public and private life. On
the other hand, we could detect the antithesis of daily life and holiday on
the axis between conventional, inevitable activities and unconventional,
exceptional events, which reach individuals from the outside. The holiday
(festival) is perceived as an ecstatic experience, which interrupts the daily
routine of the individual, as well as the manifestation of community of
interest. However each specific cultural phenomenon offers its own paradigms,
ways of identification, definition and interpretation of the solemnities and
daily life.

We suggest discussing expressions of solemnity and daily life in the:
• life of the State, by revealing written and iconographic sources of the
festivities and ceremonials dedicated to the honour of rulers and nobles, as
well as relics and occasional artefacts testifying mode of their daily life
and ceremonials.
• life of the Church, by directing attention to the liturgical festivities
well as festivities related to the canonisation and adoration of the saints,
and solemnities of crowning merciful images, translation of relics etc.
• plane of a peace of art. In this respect it would be interesting to analyse,
how the preparation and arrangement of specific solemnities, festivities,
holidays etc. inspired / inspires the design and development of special works
of art (scenario, stage design, special figures, architectural structures,
images), determines their contents and peculiar shape; how the occasional
peaces of art were merged into other structures of the solemnities and how in
a length of time they were functioning no longer in occasional milieu, but in
a daily life. On the other hand, it would be interesting to discuss, how the
works of art do become the documents of solemnities and ceremonials or
documents pointing out very individual, personal solemnity - experience of
sanctity.

Presentations and papers will be synchronically translated from English
language to Lithuanian and from Lithuanian to English.
Expenses of accommodation of the participants will be reimbursed by the
organisers.

Deadline for abstracts/proposals 15 May, 2006.

Contact person:
Ph. D. Aistë Paliuðytë (Culture, Philosophy and Arts Research Institute
aistepalyahoo.com