IN THE EYES OF THE ORIENT: EUROPE IN ARABIC SOURCES Kyiv, September 22–23, 2015

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to attend the international conference “In the Eyes of the Orient: Europe in Arabic Sources, organized by the A. Krymskyi Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Center for Studies in Byzantine History and Civilization (UMR 8167 Orient et Méditerranée /Monde byzantin – Paris) and the Institute for South-East European Studies of the Romanian Academy, which will take place in September 22–23, 2015 in Kyiv.

This event is to continue the two international colloquiums held in Bucharest in 2011 and 2013, which were organized by the Institute for South-East European Studies of the Romanian Academy within the framework of the international project for the complete edition of the journal of Archdeacon Paul of Aleppo (1627-1669). This project is carried out through the joint efforts of scholars from different countries who specialize in the research of Arabic sources concerning European history.

Three centuries and a half have passed since Archdeacon Paul of Aleppo, who accompanied his father Makarios III, Patriarch of Antioch, in his long journey from Syria through Constantinople to Moldavia, Wallachia, the “Cossacks’ country” and Muscovy, started composing his travel notes, reflecting his impressions on distant l ands and the European peoples’ customs. Due to the Syrian Archdeacon many historical realities became known, while detailed descriptions of monasteries and churches of Kyiv and others cities of Ukraine have been preserved. Paul of Aleppo’s work is one of the most detailed travel accounts of the European countries that have reached us. This genre of literature had a rich tradition among Arabs, since geography as a field of science arose in the Arab world and Arabic manuscripts were among the earliest sources on the history of Slavic peoples and Kyivan Rus’. Still, there are certain issues concerning these sources – whether published or preserved in manuscripts – which need special focus.

Besides the prospects of further research of the journal of Patriarch Macarius III’s travels through Eastern Europe, this colloquium will focus on other manuscripts and published sources on the history of European peoples, important for contemporary Arab studies. Here are the topics that will be discussed:

– Relations of Arab Christians and Eastern European peoples.

– Literary heritage of Macarius III Al -Za‘īm and Paul of Aleppo.

– Connections between the Churches of the Levant and those of Eastern Europe.

– Arabic sources on Eastern Europe in the researches of Ukrainian scholars.

– Arabic manuscripts and textual criticism.

– Arabic manuscript sources in library collections of Europe.

We kindly ask to send us the title of your paper, with a brief summary in English or French, before June 30, 2015 via e-mail at: j.arabic2011@gmail.com

The papers presented at the colloquium will be published in 2016. Contributors will be sent the guidelines during the reunion.

Unfortunately, the organizing Committee is unable to offer the participants accommodation in Kyiv and travel expenses.

Hotel booking can be done online via the site: http://www.homehotel.com.ua

For more information please write to: