International Conference Religious Heritage in a Diverse Europe

International conference organized by the University of Groningen, Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken (Groningen Historic Churches Foundation), Museum Catharijneconvent, Future for Religious Heritage Brussels, Jewish Cultural Quarter.

In partnership with: International Network for Interreligious Research and Education (INIRE)

Groningen, Netherlands
June 19-21, 2019

CONFERENCE THEMES
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
KEYNOTES
CALL FOR PAPERS
UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL

The religious makeup of European societies has been significantly changing over the past few decades. At the same time that more people identify as non-religious, new arrivals and conversion mean that the religious landscape of Europe is becoming increasingly more complex. These dynamics simultaneously enrich and challenge organizations, government agencies and scholars engaged with maintaining and promoting cultural heritage.

• How should Europe’s plural religious pasts be represented?
• How can heritage be translated for audiences who do not self-identify with present religious traditions?
• What role can heritage play in fostering dialogue between the religious and secular groups that make up contemporary European societies?

Such pressing questions are at the heart of the conference “Religious heritage in a diverse Europe.” The conference will bring together leading scholars and professionals in the fields of religion and heritage studies to explore this these questions. The challenges of dealing with religious heritage in a diverse Europe will be approached from the perspectives of the academy, education, museums, preservation, as well as religious and secular organizational perspectives.

The conference aims to establish encounters between scholars and professionals. Therefore, the conference sessions offer a rich mix of academic research and practices from the heritage field. Practices heavily impacted by the disappearance of religious knowledge, the importance of religious literacy for future preservation, and the pivotal role of volunteers in the maintenance of religious heritage.

Registration

Registration has closed.

Conference partners

• Centre for Religion and Heritage, University of Groningen
• Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken (Groningen Historic Churches Foundation)
• Future for Religious Heritage, Brussels
• Museum Catharijneconvent
• Jewish Cultural Quarter

This international conference receives support by:

• Royal Dutch Academy for Sciences (KNAW)
• Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Groningen
• Groningen University Fund