Creativity and Diversity: 11th International Conference on Daoist Studies
Nanterre, Paris, France, May 17-20, 2017
For the last thirteen years, the international conference on Daoist Studies has been instrumental in enhancing the study, application, and awareness of Daoism throughout the world. The only major Daoist conference series, it follows a tradition that began in Boston (2003) and continued through Mt. Qingcheng (2004), Fraueninsel in Bavaria (2006), Hong Kong (2007), Mt. Wudang (2009), Los Angeles (2010), Mt. Nanyue (2011), Ammersee Lake near Munich (2012), Boston University (2014), and Miaoli, Taiwan (2016). Thanks to the generous hosting of the University of Paris at Nanterre, the 11th conference will take place near metropolitan Paris in France.
This year’s theme is “Creativity and Diversity.” The focus is on the artistic and specific expressions of Daoist worldview and practice, both in history and today. Panels and presentations focus particularly on anthropological studies and interactions between Daoism and art, music, ritual, theater, literature, martial arts, medicine, and various skills.
Chairs:
Adeline Herrou, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (LESC)
Georges Favraud, Toulouse Jean Jaurès University (LISST-CAS)
Livia Kohn, Boston University
Steering Committee (alphabetical):
Friederike Assandri, Joshua Capitanio, Eric Caulier, Chen Xia, Elliott Cohen, Catherine Despeux, Vincent Durand-Dastès, Fan Guangchun, Elisabeth Friedrichs, Jia Jinhua, Paul R. Katz, Li Guoqiang, Gabriele Libera, Tong Miin Liou, Liu Xun, Pierre Marsone, Karine Martin, Thomas Michael, Andreas Noll, Scott Park Phillips,Wang Xiaoyang, Michael Winn.
Keynote Speakers
Brigitte Baptandier: tba
Vincent Goossaert: “Becoming a God in the Daoist Tradition”
Christine Mollier: tba
Format: After arrival in Paris on Tuesday, May 16, the conference begins at 9 am on Wednesday, May 17, with an opening ceremony and keynote speeches. It ends at 2 pm on Saturday, May 20, after a closing plenary session. There are twelve 1¾-hour sessions total (3 on Wednesday, 4 on Thursday, 3 on Friday, and 2 on Saturday), each consisting of parallel events: panels of academic presentations, forums of textual study, practice-focused workshops with minimal talking, and documentary videos or films. There will be a banquet on Thursday evening and a performance on Friday evening.
Panels: Three 20-minute or four 16-minute individual paper presentations on the panel theme, followed by the discussant’s 5-minute comments, presenters’ responses, and open discussion (1¾ hours). In all cases, an effort will be made to join Chinese and Western representatives. PPTs should be bilingual. Some translation will be provided.
Forums: An opportunity to read a particular text with a group of learned scholars. Presenters post their text on the web a month ahead of time for participants to prepare.
Workshops: Emphasis on practice and experience (1¾ hours). The workshop room will not have tables, chairs, or PPT equipment. It is for moving or sitting practice exclusively.
Languages: Conference sessions will be in Chinese, English, and/or French.
Vendors: If you want to exhibit or sell books, CDs, or other materials at the conference, there is no extra charge, but you have to formally register and pay the conference fee in advance. Space is limited. Register early!
Fees (including all panels and workshops, daily lunch, banquet, and performance): € 110 or US$ 120
from USA/Canada: send via PayPal to “daoconf@gmail.com”
from Europe/Asia: send via PayPal to “daoconfparis@yahoo.com”
Please pay after January 1, 2017, you can register earlier to reserve a spot.
Single Days: € 40 per day, pay cash at the door.
Deadlines:
March 1, 2017: registration fee increases to € 150 or US$ 170
April 1, 2017: registration closes, abstracts due (no extensions)
May 1, 2017: conference program e-mailed and posted online
Scholarships: Some scholarships will be provided. Recipients will be exempted from paying the conference fee and receive US$ 200 toward room and board, as well as a share of travel expenses. Applicants should be within three years of completing the Ph.D. (before or after). To apply, please send registration information, plus status of Ph.D. and name of adviser, as well as draft abstract of paper to daoconf@gmail.com. Deadline: January 1, 2017.
TO REGISTER, send the following information to daoconf@gmail.com
NAME:
EMAIL:
INSTITUTION:
COUNTRY:
PAPER / WORKSHOP TITLE:
PAPER / WORKSHOP ABSTRACT:
– NO MORE than 200 words or 300 Chinese characters; make sure to include the full title, and your name.
