Call for papers: Remaking ancient Greek and Roman myths in the twenty-first century

Offers of papers are invited for a one-day colloquium on the theme of Remaking ancient Greek and Roman myths in the twenty-first century. This event will be held at The Open University in London (1-11 Hawley Crescent, Camden, London NW1 8NP) on 7th July 2016.

The recent upsurge in revivals of classical myth on the stage – with UK theatres currently programming adaptations of both Greek tragedy and the Homeric epics on an unprecedented scale – is mirrored in other artistic media ranging from the visual arts to contemporary poetry and fiction as well as television and film. This one-day colloquium aims to foster conversation between academics and practitioners working on contemporary versions of the ancient myths in order to examine some of the issues encountered by both scholars of classical reception and those whose creative works they study. How might we account for the ongoing appeal of ancient myths for artists/writers and their audiences? In what ways are retellings of ancient myths shaped by the new contexts or media within which they are produced? Whilst myth is by its nature pliable, are there any limits to the flexibility which creative practitioners have in adapting the ancient tales for a twenty-first century audience? We also hope to consider the ways in which audience engagement with retellings of mythical narratives can foster wider interest in the classical world.

Proposals for twenty-minute papers are invited; we would also welcome proposals for presentations in formats other than lecture-style delivery (e.g. performance pieces from practitioners or ‘in conversation’ sessions).

Confirmed speakers: Emma Cole (Bristol); Lorna Hardwick (Open University); Laura Martin-Simpson (Blazon Theatre); Justine McConnell (Oxford); Henry Stead (Open University).

Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be sent to Emma Bridges at the Open University (e.e.bridges@open.ac.uk) by Monday 18th April 2016.

8 thoughts on “Call for papers: Remaking ancient Greek and Roman myths in the twenty-first century

  1. Ted Clarke

    Dear Emma , I’m an OU student of classics, I’d be very interested in attending this event, could you let me know how I apply? Yours Ted Clarke

  2. Emma Bridges Post author

    Thank you for your interest, Ted! There’ll be some more information appearing on the blog about registering to attend the event a bit nearer the time, but if you drop me an email with your contact details (to the address given in this article) I can also send the information directly to you when it is available. Best wishes, Emma

  3. Suzanne James

    Several years ago, at a small family festival, my team and I enacted the Persephone/ Hades myth as the theme of the event. So over the weekend we used procession, altars, rituals and spectacle to involve the audience in the expression of this ancient agriculture myth. Twas a great success! And showed how much appetite for these wonderful stories there is in our modern culture.
    Best wishes for the success of your endeavours
    Suzanne James

  4. Pascal Lemaire

    Dear Ms Bridges,

    I saw the CFP too late to enter a proposal but I’d be most interested in attending the conference as it is a nice follow up on Madrid’s conference on the place of myths today and the various classical world vs modern SFFF conferences that took place in Rouen, Tel Aviv, Liverpool and Lyon these last few years.
    I’d thus be grateful if you could send me the details (schedule, fees,…) for attending the event.

    Regards,

    Pascal Lemaire (Belgium)

  5. Emma Bridges Post author

    Thank you for your interest in the event, Pascal. Once registration details are finalised I’ll post the information on this blog, but if you would like to send me your contact details so that I can contact you directly do feel free to email me on the address given in this post.

    Best wishes,

    Emma

  6. Liana Giannakopoulou

    Dear Emma,

    Congratulations on organising such an interesting event! I am very keen to attend the colloquium on the 7th July. Will you announce more details soon?

    Best,
    Liana

  7. Emma Bridges

    Dear Liana,
    Registration opened a couple of weeks ago (see this post on the blog which has further information about the programme: http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/classicalstudies/?p=775) Unfortunately all spaces for the full-day event are now full but there is still space for the public event at the end of the day. If you’d like to register for the public event, or to be put on a waiting list for a space for the full day, please email me at the address given in the blog post.
    Best wishes,
    Emma

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