The Interaction of Tradition and Modernity |
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To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the publication of the first collection of Lithuanian folk songs –
Ludwig Rhesa's "Dainos, oder littauische Volkslieder" (Königsberg, 1825)
Klaipėda University
November 20–21, 2025
In 2025, we celebrate a special event – the 200th anniversary of the publication of Martin Ludwig Rhesa's collection "Dainos, oder littauische Volkslieder" (Königsberg, 1825). M. L. Rhesa (1776–1840) is a prominent figure in the culture of Lithuania Minor – a theologian, philologist, poet, translator and folklorist. Realizing the importance of folk creation for national identity and the preservation of cultural memory, he compiled the first collection of Lithuanian folk songs, which became a fundamental work in the history of Lithuanian folklore research. Eighty-five Lithuanian folk song texts with German translations and comments and seven melodies introduced Lithuanian folk creation to the European audience, proving that folk songs are valuable not only from an artistic but also from a cultural and historical points of view.
On this significant occasion, we invite you to honour the memory of M. L. Rhesa and re-evaluate his work: how "Songs" influenced research into Lithuanian folklore, language, and culture, their significance for the science of ethnology and folkloristics as well as the value they create in contemporary culture.
In the modern dynamic world, tradition is a concept that is not easily defined. Having no strict boundaries, constantly changing and developing along various trajectories, it is a phenomenon that responds to the challenges and needs of modernity. Modernity can transform traditions by giving them new forms, but traditions in the modern context remain a source of identity, authenticity, and cultural memory.
We invite conference participants to focus on a scientific discussion about the change of tradition – the causes, consequences and perspectives of a significant break in a fact, subject, process or phenomenon considered traditional. To analyse how tradition and modernity affect each other, the changes that occur during their interaction, and how these processes shape identity, community and cultural continuity.
In scientific presentations, we propose to examine the interaction between tradition and modernity in these areas:
The conference theme and dedication open up opportunities for a variety of presentations. This event is dedicated to the latest research on the interaction of tradition and modernity in the indicated areas and to a scholarly dialogue on the significance of folk creativity and culture, both from a historical perspective and in the current context.
The conference will be organized in person and online:
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of Klaipeda University, S. Neries str. 5, Klaipeda, Lithuania
• ZOOM Video Conferencing platform
Working languages: Lithuanian, English. The abstracts and slides of presentations are to be presented in the English language.
Presentations: 20 min., and 10 min. for discussions.
The registration form has to be filled out by the 30th of May 2025. The confirmation about your participation will be sent by the 15th of June 2025.
There is no conference participation fee. Participants are responsible for travel and accommodation expenses.
Articles prepared on the basis of the conference presentations and meeting the requirements of a scientific article will be published in the Klaipeda University periodical scientific journal “Res humanitariae”, which is referenced in the international databases Index Copernicus and EBSCO.
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| KLAIPEDA UNIVERSITY Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Department of Philology |
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| Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology, Centre for Baltic Studies |
University of Zadar | University of Latvia | Riga Technical University Liepaja Academy |
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| The Council for the Safeguarding of Ethnic Culture | The Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore | Foundation of Lithuania Minor and Society | Community of Lietuvininkai "Mažoji Lietuva" |
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