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 are pleased to announce the organization of the panel entitled 'Masks Unveiled: An Examination of Cultural Heritage, Identity, Narrative Construction, and Artistic Expressions' as part of the 20th edition of the Romanian Association of Ethnological Sciences Annual Conference, dedicated to the theme of Masks.
The panel will draw on the results of the project, Erasmus+ 'Unveiling Arts and Crafts Behind the MASKS' (unveilingthemasks.uva.es), but will not be limited to these findings. The conference will bring together experts from the Italian, Spanish, and Romanian partner institutions alongside colleagues from other European universities, museums, and research institutes. The University of Valladolid, the University of Basilicata, the University of Bucharest, and Editrice Immagine will work together to disseminate the project’s results at the end of the Research Working Package. The event will be preceded by a workshop dedicated to outlining forthcoming activities within the project.
The conference will explore the diverse and complex roles of masks across different cultures and historical periods, examining their significance in rituals, social identity and artistic expression. Presentations will cover a wide range of topics, including the documentation of traditional masks, gender performance in masquerades, sensory anthropology, material culture, and the digital representation of mask-making crafts. This event will provide a multidisciplinary perspective on how masks function as cultural symbols and tools for narrative and identity, as well as their evolving meanings in contemporary contexts.
Conference participants will also be invited to attend the official opening of the ASER Conference and plenary lectures by notable scholars, including Nicolae Panea from the University of Craiova, Giulia Ferdeghini from the University of Turin, Antoaneta Olteanu from the University of Bucharest, and Otilia Hedeșan from the West University of Timișoara. In addition, the program will feature a traditional musical performance, a book fair, and a guided visit to the Cathedral Museum and the Museum of the Revolution. The conference will take place in the historic town of Timișoara, celebrated for its elegant architectural landmarks and will be conducted in a hybrid format to accommodate both in-person and online attendance.
PANEL DATE 22 NOVEMBRE 2024
