From July 2-4, the interdisciplinary conference, “The Making of Jerusalem: Constructed Spaces and Historic Communities,” was held in the Gulbenkian Library of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and supported by the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and St. Sarkis Charity Trust, London.
Twenty-six scholars from 7 countries and various disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, and area studies—notably Armenian, Jewish, and Ottoman studies—presented their papers. The conference was officially opened by His Beatitude Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, on the evening of July 2. The opening roundtable featured esteemed experts Michael Stone, Reuven Amitai, Khader Salameh, and Tigran Zargaryan from a range of academic disciplines.
Over the past six years, these conferences have covered scholarly developments within Armenian studies. This year, the conference was open to all scholars who conduct research in humanities and area studies with a focus on the history of Jerusalem after the 16th century.
Jerusalem’s status as a focal point for pilgrimages was discussed in papers presented on the representation of the city by pilgrims and the influence of pilgrimages from ancient to modern times. Some included evidence from fresh historical sources and hitherto unused archives, while others utilized new research methodologies. The history of immigration to and emigration from Jerusalem in the 20th century was also discussed.
The conference demonstrated the need to develop scientific networks in order to create connected histories of the city, as opposed to segregated communal histories. The closing roundtable discussed challenges researchers face in their work, from having access to archives to building trust.
In his closing comments, Razmik Panossian of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation noted the importance of Armenian studies in a wider context, as well as the need to open and improve access to archives, notably through digitization, for the benefit of wider communities of researchers. The Armenian Communities Department is committed to supporting the digitization of archives as part of its aim to preserve and make available the Armenian literary heritage.
A volume of selected papers from the conference will be published, edited by Boris Adjemian, Sossie Andezian, and Talin Suciyan.
Guest Contributor
Latest posts by Guest Contributor (see all)
- Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation’s “Ser Artsakh” initiative concludes and transitions to new format - November 20, 2024
- In Memory of Dikran Meguerditchian - November 19, 2024
- Young Yerevan resident donates bone marrow stem cells to save his sister’s life - November 19, 2024
Be the first to comment