Distrib. by: Central-Eurasia-L - Announcement List for Central Eurasian Studies
CFP- Int'l Conference on "Epic Poetry and Its Safeguarding", Bishkek, Oct. 2007
Posted by: UNESCO National Commission-Kyrgyzstan <natcomunesco@intranet.kg>
Call for Papers and Participation
International conference on
"Epic poetry and its safeguarding"
11-12 October 2007
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Organizers of the conference:
National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO
International Association "World People's eposes"
Deadline for submission of applications and abstracts: September 15, 2007
Most of the world's cultures have evolved and transmitted their
knowledge, traditions, and values to succeeding generations by word of
mouth and relying solely on human memory. With the advent of
handwriting and other modern techniques such as an audio and video
recording, much of the oral heritage has been recorded in a material
form. The oral traditions and values are still important vectors of
cultural transmission in all countries. Epics, rituals, customs, and
techniques still rely on oral transmission. They are rooted in
cultural tradition and history of countries.
However, due to different changes of the last decades such as an
impact of globalization on economies of countries, as a result, the
lack of financial resources, widespread ignorance about the origins of
cultures a little attention was paid to safeguard ancient cultural
values. Despite, different efforts taken by countries to revive and
safeguard the oral heritage as time goes by there are still threats
that can lead to the disappearance of an age-old traditions and values.
In order to maintain both the richness and diversity of cultures
safeguarding and development of these values is one of the purposes of
modern societies, as a part of their commitment to create a humanistic
culture and broadening of international cultural cooperation.
It is within this context, the Kyrgyz National Commission for UNESCO
in cooperation with the International Association "World people's
eposes" and within the framework of UNESCO/Japan Fund in Trust project
on "Safeguarding the art of Akyns, Kyrgyz epic tellers" is organizing
an international conference on epic heritage, which will be held in
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) on 11 and 12 October, 2007.
The conference will comprise of a scholarly programme and a
performance programme, during which distinguished and young akyns will
present their art to the conference participants and the public.
The main focus of the conference will be developing measures aimed at
promoting the oral heritage and enhancing it throughout the world.
Conference will also be a major promotional opportunity for the art of
the akyns, the Kyrgyz epic tellers and will examine practices of epic
preservation in other countries.
Purposes of the conference:
- Safeguarding of epics and the art of epic telling as an unique and
traditional genre of the oral heritage;
- Popularization of eposes and sagas (stories) in the context of
national and world cultures;
- Exchange of experience and ideas on reviving and safeguarding of
epic heritage.
- Broadening of international cultural cooperation and participation
in intellectual dialogue;
- Promotion of the UNESCO Convention for safeguarding of the
intangible heritage.
Proposed themes of conference:
(Themes may fall within, but are not necessarily limited to, the following)
1. Epic heritage in the context of intangible heritage and world cultures.
2. Role of the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the
intangible heritage.
3. The Oral Art of Akyns among nomads:
a. The art of improvisation and its uniqueness.
b. Main repertoire of akïns: sanat-nasïyat and terme
philosophical-didactic poetry as tools to reinforce social, moral, and
democratic values.
c. Socio-political role of Akyns: past and present.
4. Epic tellers and their professional development;
5. The role of epics in preservation of the language;
6. Distinctive features of the Kyrgyz epics and the commonalities it
shares with other epic traditions (Epic and history, Geography of the
Epic Manas, Religious World of Manas, Gender and Equality in Manas,
Epic Heroes and their horses, the language of heroic epic, Epics and
their Collectors/Recorders, the role of Manas epic and other smaller
epics in modern Kyrgyz culture;
7. Preservation and transmission of the epics to future generations;
8. The role of innovative presentations (books, films, theatre
performances, cartoons, etc.) in popularization of intangible heritage
among youth and children.
Preliminary program of the conference:
(Final program will be circulated by 1 October 2007)
- Arrival of participants (October 10, 2007)
- Registration of participants (October 11, 2007)
- Opening ceremony (October 11, 2007)
- Presentations and reports (October 11-12, 2007)
- Performance of epic tellers and folk musicians (October 11-12, 2007)
- Screening of narrative and documentaries on the subject of the
conference (October 11-12, 2007)
- Exhibition of traditional arts and crafts (October 11-12, 2007)
- Closing ceremony (October 12, 2007)
- Departure of participants (October 13, 2007)
Conditions for participation:
If interested in presenting a paper or organizing a panel in the
conference, please submit:
- Your full name
- Institutional affiliation
- E-mail, postal address, and tel.
- Paper Title (and Panel theme and paper titles if applicable)
- 300-word paper abstract
- One-page-max academic resume
- Please, indicate willingness to serve as a session Moderator and/or
Discussant
- Whether, if accepted, you will need a visa to attend the conference.
Kindly save the above in NO MORE THAN 2 PAGES TOTAL in A WORD FILE and
name your file as: Your last name in capital letters, a hyphen,
followed by your first name (e.g. your 2-page Word application should
be named: LASTNAME-Name.doc). As the 'Subject' of your email type:
'Conference participant.' Abstract format: MS Word, Times New Roman,
12 (the total number pages of your presentation paper should not
exceed 8-10 pages).
Participants of the conference are required to provide their papers in
Russian or English languages. All papers should be submitted
preferably until September 15, 2007 to the following email addresses:
natcomunesco@intranet.kg, elnkorch@yahoo.com, sabiras@mail.ru
Conference enjoys financial support from UNESCO/Japan Fund in Trust
for participants. As a result, limited number of participants will be
provided with the following:
- round-trip travel tickets from home country to Bishkek/ Kyrgyzstan
- accommodation
- meals and refreshment
- if required, visa processing to enter into Kyrgyzstan
Working languages of the conference are Kyrgyz, Russian, and English
(simultaneous translation will be provided during the conference).
While we anticipate your response at your earliest convenience, please
do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Updates also will be posted soon on: http://www.unesco-kg.org
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