how it happened

The seminar on the Epinomis is already history.

However, the blog will be developed further more for several months,

firstly, because there will be some follow ups - as a volume with the Bulgarian translation of the dialogue and the commentary on it by Marsilio Ficino;

and secondly, because we, the organizers, amused ourselves very much
with the preparation and the real happening of the event and now,
when it is over, we don't want to detach ourselves so quickly
from the work on it.

As it usually happens, there were some colleagues, who in the very last moment were impeded to come, so the actual programme was like that:

Seventh seminar of the South East European Association for Ancient Philosophy
The Epinomis – the last dialogue of Plato?
Text, translations, interpretations
Sofia University St Kliment Ohridsky
22 – 24 June 2011

The seminar was organized by the Department of Classics, Faculty of Classical and New Philologies and the Department History of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy



Place of the seminar: The central University Building, called “Rectorat”
Hall No1 – all the three days of the seminar

22nd of June

10.00 a.m.: official opening, lead by Dr. Nevena Panova

Official welcome words:

* by the vice-rector Prof. Dr. habilis Anastas Gerdjikov,
from the Department of Classics,

** by the Chair of the Department History of Philosophy,
Assoc.Prof. PhD Dimitar Denkov;
and
***
by the director of the masters’ programme in Ancient culture and literature
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolai Gochev

10.30 – 13.00: First session, moderated by Pavel Gregorić

Introduction to the dialogue and interpretation of section 973a-974d
by Richard McKirahan


13.00-14.30 – lunch break

Second session, moderated by George Karamanolis

14.30 – 16.30 :

section 974d3- 979d5 – interpretation by István Bárány; discussion;

16.30-17.00 – coffee break

17.30-19.00: interpretation of section 979d6-981b2 by Nevena Panova and discussion;



23rd of June

Third session, moderated by Mehmet Erginel

10.00-11.30:

interpretation of section 981 b3-982e6 by Dimka Gocheva and discussion;

11.30-12.00 – coffee break

12.00- 13.30 :

interpretation of section 982e7-984d2 by Luka Boršić and discussion;

13.30-15.00 – lunch break

Fourth session, moderated by Dimitar Iliev

15.00 – 18.00

Interpretation of section 984d3-988e2 by István Bodnár and discussion;

18.30 – 20. 00 – RHIZAI - meeting


24th of June

Fifth session, moderated by Dimka Gocheva

10.00 – 11.30

Interpretation of section 988e3-991b4 by Péter Lautner and discussion

11.30 – 12.00 – coffee break

12.00 – 13.30 –

interpretation of section 991b5-992e (end of the dialogue) by Filip Karfík
and discussion

13.30-15.00 break

Final session, moderated by Nikolai Gochev

15.00-16.30 – presentation of a paper on
Marsilio Ficino’s commentary on the Epinomis
By Zornitsa Radeva and Bogdana Paskaleva

16.30-17.00 – coffee break

17.00 – 18.30

*assembly of the core-participants of the SEEAAP for the choice of the next year’s topic;

After the election, which happened in two-steps procedure, it was decided:

The theme of the next SEEAAP-seminar will be the early work De philosophia of Aristotle; but the place and the exact time will be determined later.


25th of June – everyone was free :-)


Participants:

From Greece:

Prof. Richard McKirahan – teaching in Pomona University, USA; translator of the dialogue;

Dr. George Karamanolis – teaching in the University of Crete;



From Croatia:

Dr. Pavel Gregorić – University of Zagreb;

Dr. Luka Boršić - Institute of Philosophy, University of Zagreb;



From Hungary:


Dr. István Bárány - Eötvös University, Budapest;

Assoc. Prof. István Bodnár - Eötvös University and CEU, Budapest;

Mr. Kosztasz Rosta – doctoral student in Eötvös University, Budapest;

Assoc. Prof. Péter Lautner – Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Piliscsaba;



From the Turkish part of Cyprus:

Dr. Mehmet Erginel – teaching in the Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta;



From the Czech Republic:

Prof. Filip Karfík – teaching in Université de Fribourg;


From Bulgaria:

Assistant Prof. Dr. Nevena Panova - from the Department of Classics,

Assistant Prof. Dr. Dimitar Iliev - from the Department of Classics,

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimka Gocheva - from the Department History of Philosophy,

Assoc. Prof. Nikolai Gochev - from the Department of Classics,

Assoc. Prof. Ivan Christov – from the Faculty of Theology;

Lyuba Nikiforova, Zornitsa Radeva and Bogdana Paskaleva – already masters in the SU;

Veronika Kelbecheva - PhD candidate from the Department of Cultural Studies, Faculty of Philosophy;

Vyara Kalfina - PhD candidate in ancient culture from the Department of Cultural Studies;

Assistant Prof. Kamelia Spassova - PhD candidate from the Department of Ancient and Western Literature, Faculty of Slavonic Philology;


all of them from the University of Sofia;

Divna Manolova - doctoral student in the CEU, Budapest and teaching assistant in Sofia University;

the poster for the Epinomis seminar

created by Assoc. Prof. Violeta Gerdjikova

the program of the seminar

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The Epinomis – the last dialogue of Plato?
Text, translations, interpretations
Sofia University St Kliment Ohridsky
22 – 24 June 2011
The seminar is organized by the Department of Classics, Faculty of Classical and New Philology and the Department History of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy


21st of June
arrival of the foreign colleagues and accommodation

Place of the seminar: The central University Building, called “Rectorat”
Hall No1, or the First Hall – all the three days of the seminar

22nd of June
10.00 a.m.: official opening, lead by Dr. Nevena Panova
Official welcome words by the vice-rector Anastas Gerdjikov
and the directors
of the masters’ programmes in Ancient culture and literature,
and History of philosophy.

10.30 – 13.00: First session, moderated by Pavel Gregorić
Introduction to the dialogue and interpretation of section 973a-974d
by Richard McKirahan
(The moderator of each session and the colleague, who analyzes the given section, will decide whether they will make some short breaks between the interpretation and the discussion)

13.00-14.30 – break

Second session, moderated by George Karamanolis
14.30 – 16.30 :
section 974d3- 979d5 – interpretation by István Bárány; discussion;

16.30-17.00 – coffee break

17.30-19.00: interpretation of section 979d6-981b2 by Nevena Panova and discussion;



23rd of June

Third session, moderated by Mehmet Erginel
10.00-11.30:
interpretation of section 981 b3-982e6 by Dimka Gocheva and discussion;

11.30-12.00 – coffee break
12.00- 13.30 :
interpretation of section 982e7-984d2 by Luka Boršić and discussion;

13.30-15.00 – lunch break

Fourth session, moderated by Voula Tsouna
15.00 – 18.00
Interpretation of section 984d3-988e2 by István Bodnár and discussion;

18.30 – 20. 00 – RHIZAI - meeting


24th of June

Fifth session, moderated by Gábor Betegh
10.00 – 11.30
Interpretation of section 988e3-991b4 by Péter Lautner and discussion
11.30 – 12.00 – coffee break
12.00 – 13.30 –
interpretation of section 991b5-992e (end of the dialogue) by Filip Karfík
and discussion

13.30-15.00 break

Final session, moderated by Nikolai Gochev
15.00-16.30 – presentation of a paper on
Marsilio Ficino’s commentary on the Epinomis
By Zornitsa Radeva and Bogdana Paskaleva

16.30-17.00 – coffee break

17.00 – 18.30 – two parallel assemblies:

*assembly of the core-participants of the SEEAAP for the choice of the next year’s topic;
**assembly of the current students, alumni and alumnae of the Masters’ programme in Ancient culture and literature;

The one of them will be again in First Hall and the other – in the Library of Classics;



25th of June – everyone is free :-)


Participants:

From Greece:

Prof. Richard McKirahan – teaching in Pomona University, USA; translator of the dialogue;
Prof. Voula Tsouna – teaching in the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA;
Dr. George Karamanolis – teaching in the University of Crete;

From Croatia:

Dr. Pavel Gregorić – University of Zagreb;
Dr. Luka Boršić - Institute of Philosophy, University of Zagreb;

From Hungary:

Prof. Gábor Betegh – Central European University, Budapest, Hungary;
Dr. István Bárány - Eötvös University, Budapest;
Assoc. Prof. István Bodnár - Eötvös University and CEU, Budapest;
Mr. Kosztasz Rosta – doctoral student in Eötvös University, Budapest;
Assoc. Prof. Péter Lautner – Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Piliscsaba;



From the Turkish part of Cyprus:

Dr. Mehmet Erginel – teaching in the Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta;


From the Czech Republic:

Prof. Filip Karfík – teaching in Université de Fribourg;


From Bulgaria:

Dr. Nevena Panova, Assoc. Prof. Dimka Gocheva, Assoc. Prof. Nikolai Gochev, Assoc. Prof. Ivan Christov – all of them from the University of Sofia;

Zornitsa Radeva, Bogdana Paskaleva – master-students in the SU;
Probably Vladimir Marinov from the NBU – still not confirmed;

And many other (curious) colleagues, expected (especially) during the first day;

the poster for the seminar is created by Assoc. Prof. Violeta Gerdjikova from the Department of Classics

the division of the text

Dear colleagues,

There is some interest in our seminar on the Epinomis, planned for
the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of June in Sofia.


So, as an organizer I suggest that we shall have both - seminar, discussing the
ten "chapters" of the dialogue
successively - in a smaller auditorium, and papers-lectures on the whole of it, which might be presented
in a larger hall in one of the afternoons of the three days.

For the seminar I suggest the following working division in ten pieces:


1. Part one – from the beginning 973a- till 974 d2 - introduction

2. Part two – 974d2-976c5 – the other epistemai

3. Part three – 976c6-979d6 – the episteme needed mostly for the acquisition of wisdom

4. Part four – 979d7-981b2 – the inner dialogue between the Athenian guest and Kleinias

5. Part five – 981 b3 – 982 e6 – the five principle bodies

6. Part six – 982 e 7 -984 d – animation and divinity

7. Part seven – 984 d2-986a6 – the divine celestial bodies

8. Part eight – 986 a7- 988e2 – the eight dynameis of the celestial deities

9. Part nine – 988e3 – 991 b5 – the greatest virtue for the humans

10. Part ten - 991 b 6 – till the end – conclusion of the dialogue

you are welcome

Dear colleagues,

On Friday and Monday all the projects, approved in the faculties, have been approved also by the
University committee and yesterday the chief accountant of the University had to say his
final and most important say.

What matters is: our seminar on the Epinomis received green line everywhere.
The basics for the accommodation for 15 guests are secured, plus two dinners.

The additions and extras - as money for plenty of photocopies, and an excursion - are still uncertain.

Anyway, I am not going to bother you anymore with the other details.
We have the most necessary and indispensable.

All of you are cordially invited!

It is up to you to decide from the collegiate group of each country who would like to attend and how to be accommodated.

If there are many people, who would like to participate, we may welcome 15 as guests of the University,
but the rest would be also welcomed and may stay on their own...
Among he positive effects
of the global crisis is the fact, that there are decent, modest hotels in the center of Sofia
at quite reasonable prices.

In respect of the work:
I have already divided the text of the Epinomis into ten chunks, but I wouldn't like to impose myself
and firstly I would like to ask those of you, who are definite on their participation:

What are your preferences? Papers on topics or successive discussions of the 10 pieces, followed by a general discussion
Whose is this dialogue?

I am expecting proposals and suggestions from all of you, who would like to attend.

yours,
Dimka

almost certain

A message on the Annunciation day

Dear colleagues,

On Wednesday the committee of the Faculty of classical and new philology supported the project for the seminar.

The other good news from today is: the Faculty of philosophy also supports the seminar on The Epinomis.

So, the final approval will come on Monday from the overall committee for all faculties of the University,

but hopefully, no unpleasant changes will occur there, because the project is supported by two

faculties.

This means: we will be able to offer accommodation for four nights for 15 people in 3-star hotels

plus accommodation for 3 other colleagues

in the big apartment for guests of the Faculty of philosophy. There are two other apartments,

used by the two faculties for the accommodation of foreign colleagues, which means

that we will be able to welcome at least 15 guests.

This is not that bad.

Seems more real than before.

I will write to you next week, after Dr. Nevena Panova and me sign the contract.

Wishing you all the best,

yours Dimka

still uncertain

Dear colleagues,
Several steps have been made so far for the organization of the seminar on “The Epinomis”.
On Friday, the 11th of March the application was submitted both in the Faculty of Philosophy and in the Faculty of Classical and New Philologies.
This is a joint project of the Department of Classics and the Department of History of Philosophy, and the co-organizers are Dr. Nevena Panova, who is one of the two translators of the “Laws” in Bulgarian, and me.
We are applying in both of the faculties, hoping that thus it will be easier to collect the necessary funds.
So far other sponsors have been asked for help, as well, but without a response from them for the time being.
The conference, or rather the seminar is scheduled for the days from the 21st to 25th of June, which more accurately means: these are the dates with accommodation for the guests. The 21st of June is supposed to be the arrival day, the seminar is supposed to occur on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of June, and on the 25th probably there might be a small excursion.
Maybe all this as time-precision comes too late for some of you, but the situation for this year here is like that. Everything happens in the very last moment and even now it is still uncertain. The decision of the two faculties’ committees will become clear in 10 days at the latest.
As for the place: we have given up the idea of hosting the event in the University cottage in the Rila mountain, because in the last months it has not been well maintained and because of other disadvantages, known to you. It turned out that the crisis had influenced many decent 3-stars hotels in Sofia to offer accommodation for reasonable prices.

So, if supported by the two faculties, the seminar will be in Sofia, in the Central building of the SU, in the so-called “Rector’s building” and all the guests will be accommodated in hotels quite near-by. Seminar days: the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of June.

One pre-final point. I am not sure who exactly receives these messages and who does not receive them, because from all the addresses, included in the list, the server regularly returns only the messages with the address of Irina Deretic. I also noticed a mistake in the address of István Bodnár, and also I received a letter from Katerina Ierodiakonou, that she does not receive all of them.
So, in order to facilitate our communication, especially if the funding is secured, I decided to create a blog and to post on it all the relevant and necessary information for everybody, who might be interested in the seminar, even without attending in person. Obviously, firstly, we cannot rely only and solely on the mailing-list.
Secondly, the information on the blog, concerning the seminar on “The Epinomis”, might be useful for some colleagues – students, doctoral students, assistant-professors, and others from the classicists and the philosophers, who might liked to attend some of the sessions.
The blog is here:
http://theepinomisofplato.blogspot.com/

And last, but not least. If we are supported to gather and work together on “The Epinomis”, we may use the division of the Teubner edition in 12 chapters, or I can propose you another division of the text in 10 parts.

But let’s discuss the division of the text – in 12 or in 10 parts, and who exactly is going to present which part exactly after the final clarification: whether we will be able to host it in Sofia in June, or not.

Soon it will become clear.

Wishing you all the best,
Yours sincerely,
Dimka

hope in the unpredictable world

Today, the 13th of March, is a sunny day.