The 7th annual Amazwi Literature Heritage Ecology Conference
18 and 19 March 2025, Makhanda
Call for papers | Conference theme: “Symbiosis”
- The deadline for submission of abstracts is 10 February.
The annual Literature, Heritage and Ecology Conference hosted by Amazwi South African Museum of Literature aims to foster cooperation and interaction between the humanities and the sciences and so help mitigate the social-ecological crises we face today.
“Symbiosis” refers to a close and long-term biological relationship between two different living things. The relationship can be mutualistic, in which both benefit, commensalistic, in which one benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefits, or parasitic, in which one, the parasite, lives on or inside a host and causes it harm. The conference asks: what is the nature of the symbiosis between humanity and the environment as the system of life? Given the vital importance of understanding this relationship in a time of social-ecological crisis caused by human culture, how is it explored and represented by writers and literary scholars, and in the exhibition and education programmes of museums, libraries and galleries? How can the humanities and the sciences together imagine and encourage the emergence of more mutualist ways of being?
Presentations exploring the theme of “Symbiosis” are invited. Presentations should be grounded in at least two of the conference’s three entangled areas of interest:
- Literature is considered in its broadest sense of both oral and written traditions, and as encompassing storytelling of all kinds, both written and visual. Literature that considers social-ecological themes is particularly relevant to the conference.
- Heritage reminds us that to remember the past is a vital element of creating a culture for a better future. Heritage includes history, culture, the arts and indigenous knowledge, and both cultural and natural heritage.
- Ecology refers to the global natural systems within which humanity is embedded together with all other living things, and towards which our species has a unique responsibility of preservation.
Both literature and heritage provide means to think about ecology and to chart pathways to a more healthy environment and greater well-being for all living things.
Presentations can be academic papers, opinion pieces, overviews of work in progress or recently completed, overviews of exhibitions or related projects, think pieces, or any other format. All perspectives and approaches are welcome. Multimedia presentations are welcome, as are performance pieces.
- Registration fees: R1500 per person
- Conference format: The 2025 conference will be in-person. There will be no online presentations. The proceedings will be recorded.
- Deadline for abstracts: 10 February 2025 (papers should be no more than 20 minutes long)
- Deadline for registrations: 5 March 2025
- Submit your abstract here.
- Register to attend the conference here.
Please note: If you submit an abstract you must also register.
Enquiries: Thomas Jeffery, t.jeffery@amazwi.museum or 046 622 7042 (office hours)