BELGIUM – Call for papers to Young Scholars Conference

“Beyond the Monument, The Fate of Churches: Become Heritage or Disappear”

Ninth International Young Scholars Conference on Heritage

University of Leuven (Belgium) || September 26 to 28, 2013

The Ninth International Young Scholars Conference on Heritage intends to discuss heritage-making with respect to churches and chapels of the historical religious traditions by examining from a pragmatic perspective the transition of these buildings from the religious space to the public space of contemporary civil society. It becomes evident that the “historical monument” is limited and unable to satisfy our various heritage desires or, more strikingly, generate the funding that this sort of satisfaction requires. Otherwise, converting redundant places of worship by allotting new uses is unavoidable. From these two evidences, the conference intends examining the ongoing evolution of these churches and chapels in the civil realm as well as looking at transition strategies designed to support this process. The following dimensions will be specifically addressed: public action, including its means and partners; funding methods; means of conversion; and selection criteria at various territorial scales. Property plans and the appropriate or inappropriate character of eventual uses obviously remain crucial issues as well.

We invite young researchers from all disciplines and nations to submit proposals for papers based on case studies originating with projected or completed conversions that will facilitate a discussion of practical methods and cultural and social challenges connected with the fate of churches and chapels in the public space of a contemporary town, village, or region. Proposals for papers (title, a maximum 500-word summary, and a maximum 500-word biographical note) must be sent to Dr. Jean-Sébastien Sauvé (crcpatrimoineurbain@gmail.com) by April 15, 2013. All proposals will be evaluated by a scientific committee on the basis of their thematic relevance, the originality of their questioning process and the general quality of their arguments.

Travel costs incurred by young researchers may be partially subsidized, subject to budgetary restrictions. The Canada Research Chair on Urban Heritage and KU Leuven’s Department of Architecture will offer a few travel grants for participants.

This event is proudly supported by the FRH network!

Download the PDF for further information.