Gerard J. Brault The Tenth International Congress of the Société Rencesvals, Strasbourg, France, 25-31 August 1985
In Strasbourg's Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame, a striking stained glass window dated about 1200 depicts a solemn crowned figure seated in majesty. Discovered in 1933, the window which once embellished the cathedral across the street is believed to represent Charlemagne. Strasbourg, crossroads of Europe, a city which treasures this and other mementoes of the Emperor, was the setting for the Tenth International Congress of the Société Rencesvals presided over by Cesare Segre (Pavia). Some two hundred persons were in attendance, including more than a score of members of the American-Canadian Branch and their families. Local arrangements, superby handled by the staffs of the Centre de Philologie Romane and of the Faculté des Lettres Modernes, were coordinated by Claude Buridant (Strasbourg) ably assisted by François Suard (Lille).
Papers were presented on three broad themes: • Monasteries, churches, pilgrimages: epics and their diffusion. • Recent developments (linguistics and literary) in research on the epic. • Reciprocal epic relations between the Romance and Germanic areas. Roundtables were also held on methods, metrics, and work in progress. The proceedings will be published by the Centre d'Aix, Université de Provence, which, it will be recalled, printed the papers read at the Sixth Congress held in 1973. (For further information, contact Jean Subrenat, 2, rue de Provence, Les Fenouillères, F-13090 Aix-en Provence, France.) International officers were elected in accordance with regulations adopted at the Padua Congress and published in BBSR, 56 Olifant / Vol. 11, No, 1 / Spring 1986
No. 14 (1981-82), p. 7. The new officers are: Gerard J. Brault (Pennsylvania State University), President; Alberto Limentani (Padua) and François Suard (Lille), Vice Presidents; and Madeleine Tyssens (Liège), Secretary-Treasurer. The next triennial congress of the Society will be at Barcelona, Spain. Cultural and social activities included (chronologically): a walking tour of Strasbourg, a reception by the Mayor of Strasbourg, a nocturnal boatride along the Ill and through the city's canals, a concert by the Psallette Grégorienne de Strasbourg in St. Stephen's Church, visits to city museums and the cathedral, and a reception hosted by the President of the Université des Sciences Humaines de Strasbourg. The cultural highlight was a full-day excursion through some of the most picturesque parts of Alsace including the famed Route du vin, with tours of the Baroque abbey church at Ebersmunster (and a short recital demonstrating the remarkable range of its Silbermann organ), a winery at Beblenheim (a hearty meal washed down with excellent local wine was served in the banquet hall of the town's cooperative), Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum, and Mont Sainte-Odile. The concluding banquet was held in the historic Gurtlerhoft Restaurant, originally the wine cellar of the chapter house of Strasbourg cathedral. Without a doubt, the Tenth International Congress ranks among the most enjoyable and productive meetings the Society has ever had. Meticulous planning and follow through by the local committee are among the chief reasons for this unqualified success. Prompted by many congressistes, Claude Buridant has bequeathed to future organizers the oliphant he sounded with telling effect to make announcements and to keep us on schedule. Ample time was allowed for lunch in a nearby university cafeteria (a pleasant outdoor facility covered by a tent) and for dining in town. The weather was delightfully sunny throughout, ideal for sightseeing and strolling during the evening hours. No more than two simultaneous sessions at any given time reduced scheduling conflicts to a minimum. Most important of all, Brault / Tenth Congress 57
however, the generally high caliber of the papers presented and of the ensuing discussions led many to conclude that impressive advances are being made in epic research and bode well for the future of our discipline.
Gerard J. Brault The Pennsylvania State University
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International Arthurian Society The next International Congress of the International Arthurian Society will be held in Leuven, Belgium, in August 1987. Paper abstracts from members of the North American Branch should be sent by April 30, 1986, to the IAS/NAB program committee, c/o Professor Barbara N. Sargent-Baur. The following themes have been chosen:
1. "The Notion of Adventure in Arthurian Romance" 2. "The Problem of Translation, Adaptation, Remaniement" 3. "Arthurianism and the Visual Arts"
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Recent Publications For a catalogue of recent publications in the Garland Library of Medieval Literature, write to Garland Publishing, Inc., 136 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Avalon to Camelot (2126 W. Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625) announces vol. I, 4 on "Women and the Arthurian Tradition."