Conference at University of Tartu evaluates impact of Orthodoxy
Orthodox culture has become an important part of life in Estonia as Terra Mariana (St. Mary’s Land) and this year marks the 800th anniversary of Terra Mariana. The conference, which takes place at the UT Faculty of Theology, evaluates the historic, social, cultural and political impact of Orthodoxy in the Baltic States.
The conference “Orthodoxy in the Baltic borderlands: religion, politics and education”, taking place 6–8 November brings 20 performers from different countries to Tartu to promote a balanced and scientific discussion on topics which in recent years have created several controversies.
According to the organiser of the conference, Senior Research Fellow of Church History at UT Irina Paert, one of the aims of the conference is to give an assessment on the historic, social, cultural and political impact of Orthodoxy in the Baltic States.
“It is hard to overestimate the influence of Eastern Christianity in the Baltic borderlands: it is evident in architectural heritage, historic documents, people’s memory and living tradition. Life in Orthodox communities, incl. among old believers and Setos, is still vital and follows the developments of civil society,” said Paert.
The conference is organised by the employees of the UT Faculty of Theology who are involved in the Estonian Research Council’s research project “Altar and classroom: the Orthodox schools in the Baltic provinces 1870–1914”.
The working languages of the conference are English and Russian. Have a look at the programme of the conference.
The conference takes place at the University of Tartu’s main building in the senate hall and in lecture hall 140.
Additional information: Irina Paert, UT Senior Research Fellow of Church History, e-mail: irina.paert [ät] ut.ee.