CALL FOR PAPERS

Zourouni kul sanna marra (Visit me Once a Year), song by Fairouz
Birzeit University is planning this conference on the distinctive place and meaning of the land of Palestine to explore historic, aesthetic, representational and other dimensions—with emphasis on generating practical knowledge and new theory, bringing together multiple perspectives and creating a language about the subject. One focus relates to the analysis of intrinsic landscape elements accumulated over several millennia by continuous Palestinian habitation, as these elements are endangered by imposed importation, abuses and fragmenting circumstances. The conference seeks to heighten awareness locally, regionally and internationally and to encourage future applications.
Papers are invited on topics relevant to the theme, in the following fields: historical geography; archaeology; space and architecture; ethnography; landscape aesthetics; literature and the visual arts; other representations in various mediums, such as folklore and mythology, travel writing, history and film; landscape, power and identity; land use, planning and ecology.
Various exhibits, tours and cultural activities are organized in conjunction with the conference. Proceedings will be published in both Arabic and English. Participants unable to obtain institutional support may apply to the conference committee to cover expenses, as funding for this purpose becomes available.
Send a 500-word abstract by 15 May 1998 at the latest, and the full text of a 30-minute presentation by 1 September 1998 to Chair, Landscape Conference, Faculty of Arts, Birzeit University, PO Box 14, Birzeit, West Bank, Palestine (via Israel). Confirm by fax (+972-2-9957656) or e-mail (land@arts.birzeit.edu).