Heterodoxology

The Visual and the Symbolic in Western Esotericism

The call for papers is out for next year’s biannual conference of the ESSWE. This is the third one: after Tübingen in 2007 and Strasbourg 2009, the 2011 conference will be held in Szeged, Hungary, on 6-10 July. The title is “Lux in Tenebris: The Visual and the Symbolic in Western Esotericism”, and should open for some interesting cross-disciplinary perspectives (art history, film studies, literary studies, cultural analysis?) on esoteric discourse, from late antiquity to contemporary times. (Also, the program includes a visit to the catacombs of the Buda castle in Budapest – wouldn’t miss it!) Deadline for proposals is November 15, 2010. I attach the full call for papers below.

CALL FOR PAPERS, ESSWE3
The European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism
in cooperation with the University of Szeged and its Cultural Iconology and Semiography Research Group announces its 3rd international conference on

The Visual and the Symbolic in Western Esotericism

July 6-10, 2011, Szeged, Hungary

Papers are invited in English, focusing on verbal and visual representations of Western Esotericism
from late Antiquity to the present age.

INVITED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE
Michael J. B. Allen (UCLA),
Lina Bolzoni (Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa), and
Pia Brinzeu (University of the West, Timisoara)

Please send the title of your proposed 20 minutes’ paper with your affiliation and a short abstract via e-mail to
György E. Szönyi: <geszonyi@lit.u-szeged.hu> by November 15, 2010
For further information check the conference homepage at <www.staff.u-szeged.hu/~geszonyi>

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
“Lux in tenebris: The Visual and the Symbolic in Western Esotericism”
Venue: University of Szeged, Faculty of Arts and University Library Buildings

July 6, Wednesday
Arrival. Registration from 15:00–18:00 and every morning of later days
16:00–18:00 Sightseeing in Szeged (optional)
18:30–19:30 Welcome reception
20:00–20:50 Plenary talk 1

July 7, Thursday
09:00–10:30 Session 1; 11:00–11:50 Plenary 2; 12:00–13:30 Session 2
14:30–16:00 Session 3; 16:30–18:30 Session 4
19:00 ESSWE Members’ Meeting
20:00 Reception

July 8, Friday
09:00–10:30 Session 5; 11:00–12:00 Plenary 3; 12:00–13:30 Session 6
15:00 Visit to the Somogyi County Library, which holds an exquisite collection of
early modern esoterica
Conference dinner: Szeged Fish-souping (optional)

July 9, Saturday
09:00–10:30 Session 7; 11:00–12:00 Plenary 4; 12:00–13:30 Session 8;
13:45 Conference closes
July 10, Sunday
10:30–14:00 Excursion in Budapest: “A Magical Mystery Tour in the
Catacombs of the Buda Castle” (optional)

ANTICIPATED COSTS

–Pre-registration for the conference (through the ESSWE website, until 1 June, 2011):

Full members of ESSWE: € 70;Student members of ESSWE: € 50
All other participants: € 90
Reduced fee for ex-East-bloc citizens: € 40 (for students € 30)

Extra charge for
–On-site late registration: +€ 10 in all categories
–Conference Dinner: € 25 (optional)
–Budapest tour: TBA (optional)
–Lodging in Szeged: HUF 6000–20000 per night (about € 20-70)

About SZEGED: Declared a free royal town in 1246, is the fourth largest city in Hungary, a college-centre, with
many institutions of higher and secondary education, museums, and theatres. The University,
established in 1921, is the second largest in Hungary, with about thirty thousand students. After a
devastating flood in 1879, the inner city was rebuilt in neo-classical, eclectic, and spectacular Art
Nouveau styles. Situated on the River Tisza, Szeged is also famous for its spas, and is the home of
paprika. The city is connected by direct motorway to most parts of Europe, and can be reached in two
hours by train from Budapest’s Ferihegy International Airport.