International Conference

HISTORIES OF FOOD IN CENTRAL-EAST EUROPE

Sibiu, 25-26th October 2019

Sibiu: European region of gastronomy in 2019

The region of Sibiu is located in Southern Transylvania, a unique cultural and

natural environment, marked by its multicultural (Saxon, Romanian and
Hungarian) heritage. As a former European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu has
since focused on its vivid cultural life, also developing its touristic profile, being
one of the most visited cities in Romania. The international conference focusing
on the history of food in Central-East Europe represents one of the most
prestigious scientific events in 2019, when Sibiu will be a European region of
gastronomy, a capital of food.

Description of the conference

Studying the cultural history of food, conviviality, consumption and its economic
aspects represents one of the innovative directions in the modern historiography
from the 20th century, a heritage of the Annales School and micro-history
approaches. Following the seminal works of the French historiography on the
social and cultural history of food and conviviality, recent studies are focusing on
a great variety of aspects, such as food production, systems, conviviality,
representations or medical, gender, archaeological, architectural, artistic or
economic aspects of food production and consumption. The circulation and
production of food also played an important role in the spread of ideas and
cultural exchanges, creating a large network of connections between cultures and
states in Eurasia and beyond. Following some of the great companions on this
topic, the conference will focus on the cultural, social, religious and economic
aspects of food history in Central-East Europe from Antiquity to the Middle Ages
and the Modern and Contemporary history, creating a comprehensive overview of
this topic in the Danube region for the very first time.

We are kindly asking young and senior researchers from various fields of studies
(History, Archaeology, Art History, Agricultural Studies, History of Medicine)
from Romania and abroad to participate in our conference. There will be no
participation fee; details regarding accommodation in Sibiu will be delivered at a
later date. Please send an email with the title of your paper and institutional
address until the 15th May 2019 to: foodsibiu2019@gmail.com

Proposed sections and topics

I. Cookery books in historical perspectives

II. Archaeology of food production
III. Trades, transport and economy of food
IV.Preparation of food: spaces, objects, human agents
V. Food and religion: conviviality and sacred spaces
VI.Visuality and consumption of food and beverages in public space

Preliminary program of the conference

25th October 2019

9.00 – 10.00 – arrival and registration of the participants

10.00 – 10.15 – official opening of the conference

10.15 – 11.45: Session I. Cookery books in historical perspectives

11.45-12.00: Coffee break

12.00-13.30: Session II. Archaeology of Food production

13.30 – 15.00: Lunch

 15.00-16.30: Session III. Trades, transport and economy of food

16.30-16.45: Coffee break

16.45-18.15: Session IV. Preparation of food: spaces, objects, human agents

20.00: Dinner and festive opening hosted by the LBUS

26th October 2019

9.00 – 10.30: Session V. Food and religion

10.30-10.45. Coffee break

10.45-12.00: Session VI. Visuality and consumption

12.00-13.00: final conclusions

14.00-17.00: Festive Lunch in the Astra Ethnographic Park

17.00-19.00: Historic city tour and visiting of the Brukenthal Museum

27th October 2019

Leaving of the participants

Organizers

dr. Csaba Szabó

LBUS Department of History, Cultural Heritage and Protestant Theology (Sibiu,

Romania)

drd. Daniela Stanciu

LBUS Department of History, Cultural Heritage and Protestant Theology (Sibiu,

Romania)

conf. univ. dr. Mihaela Antofie

(ULBS/ SAIAMP,Sibiu, Romania)

Scientific committee

 prof. univ. dr. ing. Ioan Bondrea (president of ULBS)

 prof. univ. dr. Florin Curta (University of Florida, USA)

 prof. dr. Mathias Beer (Institut für donauschwäbische Geschichte und

Landeskunde, Tübingen)

 prof. dr. dhc. Martin Rady (London)

 prof. dr. Jeffrey Pilcher (University of Toronto, Canada)

 prof. dr. Valerii Yotov (Museum of Varna, Bulgaria)

 Jiri Machachek (Brno, Czech Republic)

 Dr. Orsolya Láng (Aquincum Museum, Hungary)

 Prof. dr. univ. Ioan Marian Țiplic (LBUS, Romania)

 Prof. dr. univ. Sorin Radu (LBUS, Romania)

 Conf. univ. dr. Silviu Purece (LBUS, Romania)

 Prof. univ. dr. Mihaela Grancea (LBUS, Romania)

 Prof. univ. dr. Ioan Albu (LBUS, Romania)