On the outset of the of the 21st century, cross-disciplinary studies on the Middle Ages seem to be in need of a careful reconsideration of their nature, scope and aims. This is especially so after the series of “turns” undergone by historiography in the last four decades. Despite their differences, philosophy, history, philology, literary studies and art, are also bound through their work on texts; and all are currently faced with both methodological and substantive issues raised by important shifts in contemporary society. 

This congress is devoted to a global assessment of the current state of affairs in medieval studies, but also the upcoming challenges. 

The Institute of Medieval Studies and the Institute of Philosophy invite the scientific community to participate in the congress and submitting their communication proposals until October 15, 2021. We invite you to submit a proposal along the following topics: 

Cultural history: History of texts and their material support. How useful has the history of emotions proven to be? What developments has the history of universities and lay communities concerning teaching? 

Editions and other textual work: Are there canons of editions of medieval texts? Are there relevant texts that remain unpublished or poorly edited, and what explains that? Are conservative types of editions the current trend in all areas of medieval studies? Why are publishing houses reluctant to publish? 

Literature: Did the ushering of the 21st century bring significant challenges to the study of medieval literature? How should one frame the question of a medieval literary canon in a globalized age? Does medieval poetry occupy the place it deserves within the discipline? Can the decolonization of medieval studies add new and fruitful research perspectives? 

Philosophy: Is this area of studies under danger of disappearing? Is there an adequate transference of knowledge between the community of specialists and the society at large? What are the challenges faced by the study of medieval philosophy today? 

History of art: the complex relationships between visual artifacts; artistic representations combining image and text, ranging over spirituality, geography and cosmography; socio-political hierarchies, epic fabulation; the structure of subjects taught in monasteries, as well as the arts applied to urban development. 

Joint discussion: what challenges are currently posed by the Internet and digital humanities? Were these well received by medieval studies? What are the consequences of “digital humanities” as an instrument for each of the disciplines and for the dissemination of research output? 

Proposals shall have a maximum of 300 words, apart from the title and must include contact information (name and email), academic affiliation and a short CV (max. 100 words) for the 1st November 2021 to the address congressoIAV@gmail.com. The languages accepted for the congress are Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French and English. The results of the CFP will be published in the first week of November. Due to the pandemic, the event will be held both online, for those unable to travel, and on-site, with a limited number of attendants. 

Registration fees: 40 € (general); 25 € (PhD students); Free (+ integrated members of the RDs involved). 

NOTE: Due to the COVID19 restrictions the congress sessions will be both on-site and online (via Zoom, and broadcast on YouTube): limited number of attendants, physical distancing, use of mask, hand disinfection, room cleaning and ventilation. Zoom sessions will take place through the Colibri-FCT platform. The links for the sessions will be provided in due time. 

Organizers: 

Carla Varela Fernandes (IEM-NOVA FCSH) 
Filipe Alves Moreira (IF-FLUP) 
Francisco Diaz Marcilla (IEM-NOVA FCSH) 
Joana Gomes (IF-FLUP) 
José Higuera Rubio (IF-FLUP) 
Paulo Catarino Lopes (IEM-NOVA FCSH) 

Scientific Comitee: 

Cristina Cunha (CITCEM-FLUP) 
Elisabetta Begnini (U. Torino) 
Francisco Bautista (USAL) 
Hermínia Vilar (CIDEHUS-UÉ) 
José Carlos Miranda (IF-FLUP) 
José Meirinhos (IF-FLUP) 
Josep Puig (UCM) 
Julia Butinyà (UNED) 
Lydia Schumacher (King’s College London) 
Maria João Branco (IEM-NOVA FCSH) 
Maria do Rosário Ferreira (IF-FLUC) 
Óscar de la Cruz (UAB) 
Pippa Salonius (SoPHIS, Monash University) 
Rodrigo Furtado (CEC-FLUL)