10th annual conference of AFIS (Association of Franco-Irish Studies)
in association with Dalkia Ireland
Call for Papers
Dates: 23-24 May, 2014
Venue: The National Concert Hall, Dublin
Theme: France and Ireland: Celebrating Music, Words and Art
The 10th annual conference of AFIS will be held in the National Concert Hall and an exceptional part of the event will be the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s French-flavoured concert on Friday 23 May.
Musical, literary and artistic links have existed for centuries between France and Ireland. As a powerful colonial power with a royal court, France had a long-established tradition of supporting its composers, musicians, writers and artists. Ireland, on the other hand, lived for a long time in the shadow of its powerful neighbour, Great Britain. Hence, flowering of the arts therefore took longer to emerge and France was frequently the place that attracted those who were keen to absorb the richest of cultural influences in music, painting, sculpture and literature.
Interested parties are invited to submit abstracts of not more than 200 words and a short biography (50 words) to one or all of the organising committee by Friday 31 January, 2014. As we always stipulate, papers can deal with any aspect of the theme as it applies to France or Ireland, although it would ideally cover both. Only paid-up members of AFIS are eligible to present papers. For details on membership, please click here.
Possible topics include, but are not restricted to:
- The history of musical performance in France and Ireland;
- Music in literature/literature as music, in France and Ireland;
- Artistic cross-fertilisation between France and Ireland;
- Irish musicians in France, French musicians in Ireland;
- Narrating aspects of French and/or Irish culture through music;
- Artistic links between Brittany and Ireland;
- ‘In the beginning was the word…’: Assessing the impact of Christianity in French and Irish literary representations.
Confirmed keynote speakers:
Dr Una Hunt, Lecturer in Music, Dundalk Institute of Technology
Ms Lara Marlowe, French Correspondent for The Irish Times
Please note: There will be special rates for conference delegates anxious to attend the concert on 23 May.
Organising Committee:
Dr Una Hunt, Dundalk Institute of Technology (unahunt1@eircom.net)
Dr Eamon Maher, Director of National Centre for Franco-Irish Studies, IT Tallaght (eamon.maher@ittdublin.ie)
Dr Mary Pierse, University College Cork (piersems@eircom.net)