Seminario internacional: Vidas narradas

Tue, 07/21/2026 - 19:34
1
international conference
Cartel del congreso

LIVES IN NARRATIVE: 

Tradition and Innovation in Biographical Prose in Slavic Literatures

Introduction

 

The Section of Slavic Philology of the Department of Greek and Slavic Philology, the Centre for Slavic Cultures, and the HUM-404 HERMEKATE Research Group at the University of Granada are pleased to invite scholars to participate in the International Seminar entitled Lives in Narrative: Tradition and Innovation in Biographical Prose in Slavic Literatures, to be held at the University of Granada (Spain) on 29–30 September 2026.

Biographical prose is one of the major forms of literary representation through which human life is interpreted, narrated, and aesthetically shaped. It brings together cultural conceptions of personhood, modes of understanding lived experience, and narrative patterns through which different literary traditions explore both individual destinies and the broader experience of human communities.

The seminar is organized around two closely interconnected objectives. The first is to investigate the transformation and renewal of biographical prose in the Slavic literatures by examining the diversity of literary forms and narrative strategies through which human life is given artistic expression. The second is to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among different scholarly traditions and contemporary methodological approaches, opening new perspectives on the study of biography, autobiography, memory, fiction, and the literary construction of the self.

The seminar will focus on the theoretical foundations and poetics of biographical prose, its traditions and innovations in the Slavic literatures, the diverse literary models through which human life is artistically shaped, and their distinctive national characteristics.

The seminar is also conceived as a forum for comparative scholarship extending beyond the boundaries of the Slavic literary world. In addition to papers devoted to biographical prose in the Slavic literatures, contributions are welcome on the literary portrayal of figures from Slavic culture in other literary traditions, as well as on questions of reception, translation, and the intercultural transmission of biographical prose.

The seminar will bring together specialists in Slavic literatures, literary theory, comparative literature and Bakhtin studies, together with scholars working on contemporary approaches to biographical prose, including documentary novels, fictional biography, autofiction, and related literary forms. Its aim is to establish an international forum for scholarly exchange devoted to exploring the literary forms through which human life is imaginatively shaped and aesthetically interpreted from comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Important Dates

 

  1. Proposal submission deadline: until 1 September 2026
  2. Notification of acceptance: 8 September 2026
  3. Registration fee payment deadline: 15 September 2026
  4. Final programme published: 18 September 2026
  5. Celebración del seminario: 𝟚𝟡-𝟛𝟘 𝕕𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕣𝕖 𝕕𝕖 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟞

Venue

 

  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Translation and Interpreting
  • Centre for Slavic Cultures

University of Granada (Spain)

 

Conference Themes

 

  1. 1Contemporary theories and methodological approaches to the study of biographical prose.
  2. Forms of biographical prose in the Slavic literatures.
  3. National models of representing human life in Slavic biographical prose.
  4. Figures of Slavic culture in world literature: biographical and imagological perspectives.
  5. Slavic biographical prose in intercultural communication: reception, translation, and comparative perspectives.

Submission of Proposals

 

Paper proposals should be submitted via the online submission form

Submission Form

Submission deadline: 1 September 2026, 14:00 (Granada local time) 

 

Papers

 

Papers may be presented in Spanish, English, or any Slavic language.

Participants presenting in a Slavic language are strongly encouraged to accompany their presentation with slides in English or Spanish.

Each paper will be allocated 20 minutes.

 

Registration Fees

  • Faculty members and researchers presenting a paper: €80
  • Doctoral researchers and students presenting a paper: €40
  • Seminar dinner (XXXXX): €XXX (to be added to the registration fee)
  • Attendance without presenting a paper: free of charge

Payment should be made only after the proposal has been accepted by the Organising Committee.

For papers co-authored by two participants, each author must register separately and pay the corresponding registration fee.

 

Bank Details

Account Holder: Universidad de Granada

IBAN: ES58 2100 4224 3913 0072 0546

BIC/SWIFT: CAIXAESBBXXX 

Payment Reference ‼️: Vidasnarradas + participant’s full name

 

Certificate of Participation

 

Certificates of participation will be issued after the conclusion of the seminar.

 

Publication

 

Papers that fall within the thematic scope and academic orientation of the seminar and are recommended by the Scientific Committee may be considered for publication in the journal Mundo Eslavo.

Final acceptance will be subject to the journal’s standard double-blind peer-review process and to compliance with its academic and editorial standards.

 

Contact

vidasnarradas@ugr.es

 

Conference Organizers

Scientific / Organising Committee

 

Scientific Committee

  • Álvaro Marín García (University of Granada)
  • Ana Fras (University of Ljubljana)
  • Aurelio Pérez Jiménez (University of Málaga)
  • Benamí Barros García (University of Granada)
  • Domingo Ródenas de Moya (Pompeu Fabra University)
  • Enrique Quero Gervilla (University of Granada)
  • Enrique Vercher García (Complutense University of Madrid)
  • Flor Herrero Valdés (Spanish National Research Council – CSIC)
  • Grzegorz Bąk (Complutense University of Madrid)
  • Ioana Gruia (University of Granada)
  • Iván García Sala (University of Barcelona)
  • Joaquín Torquemada Sánchez (University of Granada)
  • José Luis Calvo Martínez (University of Granada)
  • Konstantin Barsht (Institute of Russian Literature – Pushkin House)
  • Luis Beltrán Almería (University of Zaragoza)
  • Manuel Delgado Morales (Bucknell University)
  • Marc Ruiz-Zorrilla Cruzate (University of Barcelona)
  • Mª Adelina Sánchez Espinosa (University of Granada)
  • Matilde Casas Olea (University of Granada)
  • Olga Bogdanova (Gorky Institute of World Literature)
  • Stefano Aloe (University of Verona)
  • Sultana Wahnón Bensusan (University of Granada)
  • Svetlana Maliavina (Complutense University of Madrid)
  • Tatiana Borisova (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)

Organising Committee

  • Academic Director: Natalia Arsentieva (University of Granada)

  • Secretary: Tamara Gorozhankina (University of Granada)

 

  • Ágata Natalia Golab
  • Alice Poust
  • Ángel Díaz-Pintado Hilario
  • Anastasia Suengas Muntean
  • Elena del Moral Dengra
  • Inés de los Ángeles González Hidalgo
  • Jesús Eleazar García Muñoz
  • Julian Bourne
  • Lorena Jiménez Justicia
  • María del Pilar Peña Molina
  • Mónica Durán Mañas
  • Nina Kressova Iordanishvili
  • Olga Tikhonova
  • Pavlo Marynenko
  • Sara Gambella
  • Tatiana Portnova
  • Zinaida Roshu

 

Travel and Accommodation

 

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel.

Getting to Granada

  • Granada Airport: The Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén International Airport is located near the city. It operates flights to Madrid, Barcelona, and other Spanish cities. Bus No. 245 runs between Granada Airport and the city center (check timetables).

  • Málaga Airport: Located 1.5 hours from Granada, it receives multiple international flights. A regional bus runs directly from Málaga Airport to the Granada Bus Station. Route: Málaga Costa del Sol Airport - Granada Bus Station (check schedules and buy tickets at alsa.es).

  • By Train: Trains operate between Málaga and Granada. If you choose this option, you must take a commuter train (Cercanías) to the Málaga María Zambrano RENFE Station and catch a connecting train to Granada. Check schedules here: renfe.com.

Hotels in Granada

What to see in Granada

 

Granada uniquely fuses the splendor of its Andalusi past with Christian Renaissance and Baroque art. To enjoy it to the fullest, you must visit the Alhambra, stroll through the historic Albaicín neighborhood, and experience its famous culture of free tapas served with every drink.

Must-See Places in Granada

The Andalusi Legacy: The Crown Jewel

  • The Alhambra and Generalife: A medieval palace complex that includes the breathtaking Nasrid Palaces, the gardens and summer palace of the Generalife, and the Alcazaba fortress. It is mandatory to book tickets months in advance through the Official Patronato Website.

  • Palace of Charles V: Located within the Alhambra grounds, this Renaissance palace stands out for its grand circular courtyard, unique in Europe; access to the courtyard is free.

  • El Bañuelo: Remarkably well-preserved 11th-century Arab baths located at the foot of the hill.

Charming Historic Neighborhoods

  • The Albaicín: An ancient Arab quarter of labyrinthine, cobblestone streets flanked by cármenes (traditional houses with orchards and gardens).

  • San Nicolás Viewpoint (Mirador de San Nicolás): The city's most famous spot to watch the sunset, offering an iconic view of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.

  • Sacromonte: A neighborhood known for its traditional cave houses and zambras (Gypsy flamenco shows).

  • Paseo de los Tristes: Officially named Paseo del Padre Manjón, it runs parallel to the Darro River, offering spectacular views of the elevated monumental complex.

The Christian and Commercial Center

  • Granada Cathedral: An impressive masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance designed by Diego de Siloé in the 16th century. Individual tickets can be booked directly on the Tickets Granada Cristiana website.

  • Royal Chapel (Capilla Real): Attached to the Cathedral, this Gothic mausoleum holds the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand.

  • La Alcaicería: The former silk market from the Nasrid era, today converted into a network of narrow streets packed with craft and souvenir shops.

  • Corral del Carbón: A 14th-century former caravanserai (merchants' inn), notable for being the only building of its kind fully preserved in the Iberian Peninsula.

  • Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción "La Cartuja": One of the summits of Spanish Baroque architecture, famous for the striking contrast between its austere exterior and dazzling interior decoration (16th century).

 

University of Granada

 

The University of Granada was founded in 1531, continuing a long teaching tradition that connects with the Madraza of the last Nasrid Kingdom.

The University is deeply integrated into the city of Granada, enjoying its beautiful surroundings and a privileged geographical location due to its proximity to the Sierra Nevada (featuring an excellent ski resort) and the Mediterranean coast, home to major tourist destinations such as Motril, Almuñécar, or Salobreña.

Over 60,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students study at the UGR, with another 10,000 taking complementary, language, or summer courses. It employs 3,500 professors and more than 2,000 administrative, technical, and service staff.

The University of Granada is internationally recognized for the quality of its teaching, research, and international outreach, consistently ranking among the top 400 universities in the world in various international rankings.