Preliminary Conference Program
Thursday Speaker | Friday Speaker | Saturday Speaker
John Minahane, Independent Scholar
Title: Poets Thinking Across Cultures in 14th Century Ireland: Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh and Gerald fitzMaurice
Time | Location: TBA
This presentation reviews a strange and risky relationship, expressed in poetry, of two 14th century Irishmen. One was the outstanding file (professional poet) in the country; the other was an earl, an important official of the English government in Ireland. The master-poet, Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh, and the earl, Gerald fitzMaurice (called Gearóid Iarla in Irish), conducted their relationship in the Irish language. Gofraidh engages with Gearóid in a long poem, arguing first on the basis of law. The earl should take responsibility and give compensation for the actions of a subordinate who has burned the poet’s corn and sought to kill him. Gearóid has the power to decide arbitrarily; Gofraidh, however, argues that he should voluntarily act in accordance with Irish law (the so-called ‘Brehon law’). And besides, there are the claims of many years’ friendship...
While no direct reply from Gearóid survives, a collection of 30 poems in Irish attributed to him may be seen as addressing issues that Gofraidh has raised. Gearóid Iarla frankly explains why he attacks the Gaelic Irish, even though they are his friends. He comments cheerfully on aspects of his imprisonment (lasting about a year) after capture by O’Brien, prince of Thomond. He has love poems to various women, and two splendid poems in praise of Irish rivers. Remarkably, he has poems to members of a great Gaelic rival kindred, the MacCarthys, whom he seems to relate to as poet to patrons. The question arises whether Gearóid’s poetry leaves room for his role as earl: was it possible to wear these two hats in such a way? This and other questions of the Gofraidh-Gearóid relationship, taken broadly, will be discussed in the paper.
Ari Kohen, Professor of Political Science and Schlesinger Professor of Social Justice
Director, Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies
Title: “Every Age Has Its Own Fascism”: How Contemporary Political Speech Deals with Extremist Ideologies
Time | Location: TBA
Extremist nationalist groups have worked to subvert the democratic process, built a base of support through the promotion of xenophobia and bigotry, and regularly promote all manner of conspiracy theories. Nonetheless, there is a reticence to label them as fascists or to suggest that they are promoting a fascistic ideology, in part because when we hear the term “fascism” or “fascist” today, it often triggers a certain reaction—some will say things like, “Oh, what an exaggeration! Where are the brown shirts? Where are the mass arrests? Where are the concentration camps?” To be sure, fascism is difficult to define as a universal concept. It molds itself to the circumstances of time and society. And the frequent and careless use of this term in political debates runs the risk of diluting its meaning. When a term is reduced to nothing more than an insult, it loses its significance and analytical value. As George Orwell put it in his 1944 essay “What is Fascism?”: “All one can do for the moment is to use the word with a certain amount of circumspection and not, as is usually done, degrade it to the level of a swearword.” Clear distinctions and definitions are vital; they provide context and prevent the term from becoming vague, applicable to everything yet signifying nothing.
Saturday 11 October Keynote: TBA
Title: TBA
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Samuel Bak Museum
More information coming soon!