ABOAGORA 14.-16.8.2012: THE POWER OF THE SACRED AND THE SECULAR

The theme for 2012 focuses on a process that is fundamental to Western culture, that of separation between sacral and secular culture. This opens a fruitful perspective on the dialogue between the arts and the academia, since the concept of the secular is vigorously debated in both fields. In 2012 Aboagora seeks to turn critical attention to such questions as the role of religion in contemporary society, teaching of morality and ethics in a secular education system, the return of mysticism and spirituality to public discussion and the so-called post-secular.

Invited guests include Gianni Vattimo (Philosophy), Miri Rubin (History), Marion Bowman (Religious Studies) and Juhani Pallasmaa (Architecture), together with Andrew Yip (Sociology), Salla Tuori (Gender Studies) and Elina Pirjatanniemi (Human Rights).

The programme of the symposium will be published during spring.