Call for Papers. International conference "Own Idols or Foreign Gods: Syncretism in Beliefs and Religious Cults"

The Institute of Latvian History of the University of Latvia is organizing a section “Own Idols or Foreign Gods: Syncretism in Beliefs and Religious Cults” within the framework of the 83rd International Conference of the University of Latvia. Religious syncretism is the result of the interaction of religions of different levels, which forms a new system of beliefs. Thus, it is a social and cultural phenomenon that affects many areas of an individual’s life. This phenomenon began to manifest itself in prehistoric times and is also relevant in modern society, especially in the context of globalization.

The conference organizers invite you to delve deeper into the phenomenon of religious syncretism, focusing on the following issues:

1. Methodological approaches and sources in the study of religious syncretism.

2. Factors in the development of religious syncretism from prehistory to the present day.

3. Examples of religious syncretism in cults and beliefs from prehistory to the present day.

4. Religious syncretism in culture, art and everyday life from prehistory to the present day.

Conference language: Latvian, English. Application deadline: January 12, 2025. Participation form: in-person and online.

Conference organizer: Tatjana Bogdanovica (tatjana.bogdanovica@lu.lv)

Conference website and application form. 

Conference participants will have the opportunity to publish an article in a special issue of the journal of the Institute of Latvian History (SCOPUS).

The event is financed by the project No 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007 "Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia" of the second round of the Consolidation and Governance Change Implementation Grants within Investment 5.2.1.1.i "Research, Development and Consolidation Grants" under Reform 5.2.1.r "Higher Education and Science Excellence and Governance Reform" of Reform and Investment Strand 5.2 of the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Mechanism Plan "Ensuring Change in the Governance Model of Higher Education Institutions.