The special events of the 58th International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University (in a hybrid format Thursday, May 11, through Saturday, May 13, 2023) included the Mostly Medieval Theatre Festival, behind-the-scenes visits to two museums, two plenary lectures, the annual Lecture on the Reception of the Classics in the Middle Ages and the Richard Rawlinson Center Congress Speaker session.
mostly medieval theatre festival
Founded in 2017, the Mostly Medieval Theatre Festival (MMTF) is a performance festival showcasing and invigorating the global heritage of drama, music, dance and performance styles from late antiquity through the Renaissance. To relaunch the MMTF in 2023, founder and associate professor of theatre Lofty Durham has designed a special course that culminates in the creation of a traveling ensemble of players—students in the Department of Theatre at Western Michigan University—who will present a rotating repertoire of short performances at various times and in various places throughout the Congress. Keep an eye out for these enthusiastic and talented students, and be sure to catch Suzanne Savoy's performances of Christine de Pizan's "Tale of Poissy"!
Christine de Pizan's "Tale of Poissy"
Suzanne Savoy recites excerpts of Christine de Pizan's "Tale of Poissy" in English.
Friday, May 12
11:30 a.m., Fetzer Lobby/Atrium/Patio - Part 1
5:30 p.m., Valley 3 - Part 2
Saturday, May 13
11:30 a.m., Fetzer Lobby/Atrium/Patio - Part 3
Support the Mostly Medieval Theatre Festival
You can also support the continued activities of the MMTF by making a gift to the Mostly Medieval Theatre Festival Gift Fund.
mining the collection: kalamazoo edition
The Medieval Institute and the International Center of Medieval Art (ICMA) are teaming up to offer a series of virtual museum visits during the International Congress on Medieval Studies. These visits will be broadcast live on the meeting site, and recordings be made available to all registrants Monday, May 15 through Wednesday, May 31.
Organized by Shirin Fozi (Metropolitan Museum of Art) in collaboration with curators at the participating museums, the events highlight carefully selected medieval objects from the permanent collections, with commentary by museum professionals and other experts. Ample time is allowed for questions from and discussion with attendees.
The Walters Art Museum
Thursday, May 11
Noon EDT
The Art Institute of Chicago
Friday, May 12
Noon EDT
Medieval Dress and Textile Arts Display and Demonstration
A display of reproduction textile and dress items, handmade using medieval methods and materials. Exhibitors will demonstrate techniques and be available to discuss the use of historic evidence in reproducing artifacts of material culture.
Friday, May 12
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Bernhard 105/106/107
Plenary lectures
Thelma Thomas
"Clothing the Angelic Life: The Desert Fathers on the Necessity of Clothing for Monks, Angels, and Adam"
Thelma Thomas
New York University
Friday, May 12
8:30 a.m. EDT
sponsored by the Medieval Academy of America
Marla Segol
"Sex Magic and You: Experimental Ritual, Mythical Innovation, and the Study of Medieval Religion"
Marla Segol
University of Buffalo
Saturday, May 13
8:30 a.m. EDT
sponsored by Medieval Institute Publications and De Gruyter
Reception of the Classics in the Middle Ages Lecture
Frank Coulson
"Desperately Seeking Naso: Ovid and His Transformations in the Middle Ages"
Frank Coulson
The Ohio State University
with a response by Kathryn L. McKinley (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
Thursday, May 11
7 p.m. EDT
endowed in memory of Archibald Cason Edwards, Senior, and Sarah Stanley Gordon Edwards
Richard Rawlinson Center Congress Speaker lecture
Bernard Meehan
"'Wiping Out Their Freshness of Inspiration': Irish Gospel-Books in Early Medieval England"
Bernard Meehan
Trinity College Dublin
Richard Rawlinson Center Congress Speaker
Thursday, May 11
10 a.m. EDT