On Miracle Ground XIII - Durrell on Rhodes: The Spirit of Myth
The International Lawrence Durrell Conference
Rhodes, Greece
Sunday, June 27–Friday, July 2, 2004
Sponsors: The University of the Aegean on Rhodes; the University of
Baltimore; Eastern Illinois University; and the International Lawrence
Durrell Society.
"...we have learned to share that timeless, exact musical contemplation—the
secret of her self-sufficiency—which has helped her to outlive the savage
noise of wars and change, to maintain unbroken the fine thread of her
thoughts through the centuries..." - Durrell on the marine Venus
Call for Papers
When at last Lawrence Durrell returned to Greece in 1945, he worried that
all he loved might have vanished. Instead, of course, he found in the
"blithe air of Rhodes" that everything essential remained. Joyous and
relieved, he saw Greece with new eyes—"the inner eyes"—and realized how
important and eternal was the presiding spirit of myth. He found this in the
spectacular sunsets and in an ancient name for the island, Heliousa, the Sun
Friend. He found it in the shrines and temples of all religions, old and
new, and in the landscape, the flowers, the ruins, the air itself. And he
found it most touchingly embodied in Venus in all her aspects, marine or
otherwise—statue, saint, spirit.
The 2004 International Durrell Conference takes as its theme the spirit of
myth and how this infuses and informs Durrell's work and the literature and
art he loved. We invite interpretations of Greek and other myths and how
they function in Durrell's prose and poetry and in that of his
contemporaries and friends.
Also, as ever, we will range far and wide within and around the theme. We
invite papers on the spirit of myth in the widest possible sense and from as
many points of view as scholars, writers, and artists might imagine.
The Setting, the Sessions & Special Events
Panels and presentations will take place on the lovely campus of the
University of the Aegean, just beyond the medieval walls of the Old Town.
Several types of lodgings, all within walking distance of the university,
will be available. (Details will follow for conference registrants.)
Excursions and celebrations will reflect the sheer spirit of happiness
associated with Durrell's two years on Rhodes—the happiest of his life.
Proposals, Deadlines & Fees:
Proposals (one typed page, double spaced, or the electronic equivalent)
should be submitted no later than March 15, 2004.
The registration fee is US$150 before May 1, 2004 (US$175 thereafter). For
students, the fee is US$70 before May 1, 2004 (US$85 thereafter).
All proposals, fees, and inquiries should be sent to:
Paul Lorenz, Conference Director
3201 S. Beech Street, #40
Pine Bluff, AR 71603 USA
Telephone & Fax: 870-534-2931
E-mail: paullorenz@sbcglobal.net
http://www.lawrencedurrell.org
Coordinating Committee
Paul Lorenz, Conference Director
Carol Peirce, Program Director
Penelope Durrell
Jane Eblen Keller
Ian S. & Susan MacNiven
Nikos Polemikos
Stacey Polemikos
David Radavich
Constance Rivemale
David Roessel
Pamela Beatrice Roessel
Anne Zahlan
Thanks to University of Baltimore's Office of the Dean, College of Liberal
Arts, and to the School of Communications Design for resources and
assistance of many kinds.
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From the Literary Calls for Papers Mailing List
CFP@english.upenn.edu
Full Information at
http://www.english.upenn.edu/CFP/
or write Erika Lin: elin@english.upenn.edu
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