14^th International Conference on Daoist Studies

Daoism and Literature: Myths, Stories, Novels, Poetry

Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria

9-12 June, 2020

In Honor of Aleksandar Fedotov

ORGANIZERS

Chairs: Desislava Damyanova, Sofia University; Livia Kohn, Boston University

Sponsors: Sofia University, Daesoon Academy of Sciences, Three Pines Press

Standing Committee:

USA: Liu Xun, Robin Wang; China: Chen Xia, Sharon Small, Liou Tong-Miin; France: Adeline Herrou, Georges Favraud, Karine Martin; Germany: Friederike Assandri, Elisabeth Friedrichs

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Lennert Gesterkamp, Utrecht University: “The Shanhai jing and the Roots of Daoist Sacred Geography”

Zornica Kirkova, Staatsbibliothek Berlin: “Daoism and Poetry in Early Medieval China”

Brigitte Baptandier, CNRS Paris: “The Lady of Linshui in Ming Novels”

FORMAT

After arrival in Sofia on Monday, June 8, the conference begins with registration at 8 am on Tuesday, June 9, followed at 9 am by a brief opening ceremony and keynote speeches. It ends in the evening of Friday, June 12, with a closing banquet. There are fourteen 1.5 hour sessions plus a guided city walk on Wednesday afternoon. Languages are English and Chinese.

–Panels: Three 20-minute individual paper presentations on the panel theme, followed by open discussion (1.5 hours). In all cases, an effort will be made to join Chinese and Western representatives. PPTs should be bilingual.

--Workshops: Emphasis on the experience of Daoist cultivation, martial arts (taiji quan), and forms of Daoist medicine (1.5 hours). The room will not have tables, chairs, or PPT equipment. It is specifically for practical experience.

--Forums: Joint readings of particular texts distributed ahead of time in 1.5-hour sessions.

EXCURSIONS

Sunday (either before or after the conference, June 7 or 14)—join the majestic service at the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, followed by lunch and an afternoon hike in the Vitosha mountains (US $10).

Monday (before the conference, June 8)—take a 2-hour bus ride to Plovdiv where an associate will meet you to explore that beautiful historical city (US $25).

Saturday (after the conference, June 13)—take an organized bus tour to the Rila Monastery and its beautiful mountains, also about 2 hours from Sofia (US $30).

REGISTRATION

General: send information (name, email, institution) to <daoconf@gmail.com>

In China: send information (name, email, institution) to WeChat, ID: ssysmall12

PRESENTATIONS

Paper/workshop/forum: send abstract in no more than 200 English words or 300 Chinese characters to <daoconf@gmail.com>

FEE: $65 / €60, payable via PayPal to <daoconf@gmail.com>

RMB 450, contact Sharon Small for sending it inside China (WeChat, ID: ssysmall12)

DEADLINES

Abstracts due: April 1, 2020

Program on website: April 20, 2020

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of work-study scholarships are available to scholars within 3 years of completing the Ph.D. (before or after). They cover approximately half of housing and airfare in addition to a waiver of conference fees and require attendance of the entire conference as well as a few hours of work to help with registration and other organizational tasks. Send your application to <daoconf@gmail.com>. Include name, institution, academic supervisor, title of dissertation, date of completion, as well as paper title and abstract, preferably on a topic related to time. Funds run out, so apply early. The final, last, and ultimate deadline is March 1, 2020.

VENDORS

There will be a limited number of tables available to distribute fliers or pamphlets and sell books, CDs, and other materials. This service is complementary. Contact <daoconf@gmail.com>.