The 20th edition of the The Romanian Association of Ethnological Sciences (ASER) Annual National Conference: The Dynamics of Tradition: Cultural Realities and Theoretical Reflections.
Panel: Masks Unveiled: An Examination of Cultural Heritage, Identity, Narrative Construction and Artistic Expressions
The West University of Timișoara, The Romanian Association of Ethnological Sciences (ASER), and the University of Bucharest organized the panel "Masks Unveiled: An Examination of Cultural Heritage, Identity, Narrative Construction, and Artistic Expressions" as part of the 20th edition of the ASER Annual Conference, dedicated to the theme of masks.
The panel drew on insights from the Erasmus+ project, Unveiling Arts and Crafts Behind the MASKS (unveilingthemasks.uva.es), alongside contributions from a broad spectrum of research. Scholars from partner institutions, including the University of Valladolid, the University of Basilicata, the University of Bucharest, and Editrice Immagine, participated alongside colleagues from European universities, museums, and research institutes. The event also marked the presentation of the outcomes of the project’s Research Working Package and was preceded by a workshop outlining forthcoming activities.
The conference explored the multifaceted significance of masks across cultures and historical periods, addressing their roles in rituals, social identity, and artistic expression. Topics included the documentation of traditional masks, gender and performance in masquerades, sensory anthropology, material culture, and the digital representation of mask-making crafts. This multidisciplinary approach highlighted masks as cultural symbols, narrative tools, and evolving artifacts in contemporary settings.
Participants attended the ASER Conference’s opening session, which featured plenary lectures by notable scholars such as Nicolae Panea (University of Craiova), Giulia Ferdeghini (University of Turin), Antoaneta Olteanu (University of Bucharest), and Otilia Hedeșan (West University of Timișoara). The program also included a traditional musical performance, a book fair, and guided visits to the Cathedral Museum and the Museum of the Revolution.
The conference took place in the historic city of Timișoara, celebrated for its architectural heritage and vibrant cultural scene. Conducted in a hybrid format, it accommodated both in-person and online participation, offering a rich exploration of the cultural, historical, and artistic dimensions of masks.
PANEL DATE 22 NOVEMBRE 2024
