Mystical Entanglements: Communities, Networks, and the (Relational) Self in the History and Study of Mysticism
The Ruusbroec Institute, Antwerp University and the Mystical Theology Network are organizing an international conference in Antwerp from 4-6 June 2025. The conference will be held as part of the centenary celebrations of the Ruusbroec Institute, which was founded in 1925.
This conference seeks to challenge the prevalent notion of the ‘solitary’ mystic by exploring mystical communities (e.g. the beguines, Helfta, Groenendaal) and influences between authors and texts. Second, we want to explore notions of the (relational) self and how they impact understandings of the mystical. Third, we are interested in the historiography of the field and the modern networks of scholars who shaped the discipline in different contexts.
Confirmed Keynote Speakers
Minlib Dallh (Oxford)
Rob Faesen (Antwerp)
Sondra Hausner (Oxford)
Amy Hollywood (Harvard)
Marc De Kesel (Nijmegen)
Barbara Newman (Northwestern)
Delfi Nieto-Isabel (QMUL)
Jane Shaw (Oxford)
Rachel Smith (Villanova)
Carol Marie Webster (Fordham)
Registration
On the registration page, you will be asked to fill in your name, surname, email address, affiliation and dietary restrictions. If you have no dietary restrictions, please put NA in this field. You will also be asked to select a "pass", indicating whether you are registering only for the conference or for the conference and the conference dinner. When you click on "checkout" you will be directed to the payment page. If the order summary is correct, select "Continue to Payment". You will now be redirected to the Multisafepay page. It is currently possible to pay for the registration via Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or Bancontact. This page is in Dutch by default, but it is possible to select a different language in the top right-hand corner of the page. Click on "All payment methods" to select Maestro or Bancontact.
Please contact John Arblaster at john.arblaster@uantwerpen.be if you encounter any difficulties with the registration process.
Practical information
The conference will be hosted at various locations on the City Campus, Antwerp University, in the centre of Antwerp.
How to book a hotel (please follow the steps in the right order)
- Go to the online booking tool
- First enter the code UAACB19 (in capital letters) and click on ‘Search’
- Then enter the arrival and departure dates and click on ‘Search’ again
- You’ll see an overview of all available hotels and their Best Available Rate -10%, at that moment, including any conditions
- Choose a hotel and book your room
With thanks to the Antwerp Convention Bureau (ACB)