Diversity and Community

Spring conference 19.-21.04.2024 in Bochum.

„He was not of an age, but for all time” – Ben Jonsons often-quoted description of Shakespeare hints at the plurality of themes, characters and worlds that characterise Shakespeare’s works and establish their popularity until today. Diversity and Community are not only central themes in Shakespeare’s works but also secure their presence on stage, in art, in teaching and research. It is the differing interpretations, various productions and multimedia adaptations that enliven Shakespeare’s works again and again, keep them alive in various contexts and societies. Through their plurality, they question our understanding of ‘community’ continuously and expand it productively.

With the topic “Diversity and Community“, the spring conference reacts to contemporary debates of diversity and representation and reflects them regarding the role of Shakespeare’s works for historical and contemporary conceptions of community. A number of reputed scholars and theatre practitioners will be joining us for these discussions.

Special thanks is due to the Schauspielhaus Bochum, since we are allowed to be their guests for the entire length of this conference. Additionally, the Schauspielhaus is showing two Shakespeare productions by Johan Simons: Macbeth (including a talk with the actors after the performance) on Friday – and Hamlet on Saturday evening. Furthermore, our time at the conference will be enriched by a student production of Twelfth Night at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, as well as film screenings of The Tempest (2010) and The Merchant of Venice (2004) at the Metropolis-Kino. The Merchant of Venice will also be the topic of this year’s Shakespeare Academy, which will take place before the conference and involve students and PhD candidates.

Here you can download the program flyer and the President’s invitation letter. Further information on the content of the papers, seminars and panel talks can be found in the abstracts.