CFP: Charms, Canonical and Non-Canonical

The International Society for Folk Narrative Research (ISFNR) Committee on Charms, Charmers and Charming invites submissions for its 2022 conference from September 6-9, 2022 in Riga, Latvia. Submissions are due by February 25, 2022.

This conference aims to focus on canonical and non-canonical texts and practices, their coexistence and interaction over time. The conference also invites discussion on terminology and methodology of the discipline, analogue and digital resources, and future perspectives.

Applicants are encouraged to focus on the following topics:

• Canonical and non-canonical healing practices and texts;
• Learned and lay medical texts and traditions;
• Monastic and folk healing traditions;
• The transmission and dissemination of healing texts and practices;
• The dichotomy of religion and magic;
• The punishment of charmers over time;
• Wrongdoing and correct practices;
• National and regional peculiarities of charms and charming;
• The framing of folk religion and vernacular;
• Digital and audio-visual resources involving charm texts and tradition.

The conference will take place in Riga at the National Library of Latvia as an in-person event with the option of some papers being presented virtually.