Call for ROUND TABLE PARTICIPANTS
European Architectural History Network, 1st International Meeting
Guimaraes, Portugal
June 17-20, 2010

Medieval Architectural Heritage: What is real?

2010 brings the eleven-hundredth anniversary of the Abbey of Cluny's
foundation in 910. This ruined monument of a pan-European medieval
institution stands as a model for the exigencies of heritage
endeavors. Mostly demolished after the French Revolution, excavated
Cluny later became the subject of heated debates about original form
and dating. Today, as in the Middle Ages, it supports the economy of
the small town in Burgundy through historical tourism. Extrapolating
from Cluny's example stimulates us to reevaluate our current
understanding of medieval monuments as cultural patrimony. We have
seen two centuries of rising awareness to the historical importance,
cultural meaning, and tourism potential of medieval structures in
Western Europe. They have changed from outdated and neglected ruins
past fashionable appreciation to picturesque relics claiming large
investments toward their restoration. Many were altered throughout
their history: to embody the stylistic messages of past or foreign
influences, to reflect the aspirations of patrons or nationalist
ideologies, or to adapt as the buildings housed changing functions.
Yet some countries have too many historical monuments to maintain and
the oldest represent the largest resource drain. How relevant are
medieval building sites today and why should modern architects
continue to devise ways to restore and maintain them? How do national
administrations justify marketing them as "authentic" representatives
of culture when so much of what we think we know about their past has
been deconstructed as romantic formulae initiated in the nineteenth
century? Of what use to understanding medieval structures are
traditional categories such as stylistic divisions based on time
period, regional location, or anonymous master-builders? Who
determines popular views of the past in our society today? Why are we
still commemorating anniversaries of medieval complexes when very
little for which they stood remains relevant?

In two sessions at the July 2009 International Medieval Congress,
University of Leeds, an international panel of scholars will study
specific medieval sites in order to begin to formulate approaches that
inspire further critical study. This panel at Guimaraes continues that
dialogue and invites proposals toward participation in a discussion of
medieval heritage sites, their reception and commemoration, in order
to investigate how we continue to shape notions of their past and
value for the future.

Please send proposals for 10-minute presentations/discussion positions
and 2-page CVs via email by October 30, 2009 to: Prof. Janet
Marquardt, Eastern Illinois University, College of Fine Arts and
Humanities, Charleston, IL 61920 USA; 1 217 581 3968 (office), 1 217
581 6199 (fax): email: jtmarquardteiu.edu. Complete details on the
conference can be found at:
www.eahn2010.org