Engaging Biblical Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

by Miika Tucker

As a member of the Centre of Excellence, Changes in Sacred Texts and Traditions, I was unfortunate to be away from Helsinki during some of the formative months of the Centre’s activities. I was, however, fortunate enough to begin my tenure as a member of the Centre while enjoying a 9-month fellowship at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For me, a post-graduate student focusing on Septuagint studies, “Jerusalem of Gold,” as the popular local song goes, became a golden opportunity to expand my knowledge and experiences in the field. The Hebrew University has a long history of producing excellent research in Septuagint studies. Continue reading Engaging Biblical Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Workshop: “Gender, Methodology and the Ancient Near East”

Host: Centre of Excellence in “Changes in Sacred Texts and Traditions”, University of Helsinki

Organisers: Saana Svärd (University of Helsinki) & Agnès
Garcia-Ventura (“Sapienza” Università di Roma)

Where:  University of Helsinki (Finland), Main building (Fabianinkatu 33)

When: October 27-28, 2014

Aim: To discuss different methodological approaches to gender within the framework of ancient Near Eastern studies (including archaeology, art history and text studies) and enable a fruitful dialogue between these approaches.

Registration: Registration to attend is now open (there is no
conference fee). To register please send an email before September
15, 2014 to Saana Svärd and/or Agnès Garcia-VenturaContinue reading Workshop: “Gender, Methodology and the Ancient Near East”

Professor Anna Kharanauli (Tbilisi) ends her research stay in Helsinki

by Anneli Aejmelaeus

Anna Kharanauli, Professor of Old Georgian Language and Textual Criticism at Tbilisi Javakhishvili State University, ended her research stay in Helsinki July 1, 2014, after five months as a KONE Fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies. Continue reading Professor Anna Kharanauli (Tbilisi) ends her research stay in Helsinki

Horvat Kur 2014 (part 1): no digging, but in the lab

by Rick Bonnie and Raimo Hakola

Two members of CSTT, Raimo Hakola and Rick Bonnie, together with their Helsinki-colleague Ulla Tervahauta, are at the moment participating as team members in the archaeological excavations of Horvat Kur, a hilltop site situated north of the Sea of Galilee (Israel). Unlike previous seasons (2008, 2010–2013), this year no excavations will be conducted at the site. Instead, the research team carries out a two-week study season (June 22–July 6) in the lab at the youth hostel of Karei Deshe, where finds and architecture uncovered in previous seasons are being meticulously analyzed in preparation of the final excavation report of the synagogue. Raimo and Rick write this week in a more general manner about the excavations at Horvat Kur, and will elaborate next week in more detail on the different individual tasks carried out during this study season. Continue reading Horvat Kur 2014 (part 1): no digging, but in the lab

CSTT Meets Contemporary Studies of the Middle East: FIME Colloquium in Turku

by Jutta Jokiranta

Several CSTT members participated in the Third Colloquium of the Finnish Institute in the Middle East (FIME), titled ”Concord, Conflict and Co-existence: Religion and Society in the Middle East and North Africa,” 5–7 June, 2014 in Turku, Finland. Continue reading CSTT Meets Contemporary Studies of the Middle East: FIME Colloquium in Turku

The Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award Ceremony and Colloquium 2014

by Mika S. Pajunen

The Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise 2014 (former John Templeton Award) was granted this year to ten scholars for their dissertations or the first book after it that pertained to the topic of God and Spirituality as broadly understood. This year’s award ceremony and an attached colloquium took place in the picturesque town of Heidelberg in Germany on the 23rd– 26th of May.  Continue reading The Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award Ceremony and Colloquium 2014

Call for Papers: “Gender, Methodology and the Ancient Near East”

Call for papers has closed, please see latest information on the workshop.

Host: Centre of Excellence in Changes in Sacred Texts and Traditions, University of Helsinki

Organisers: Saana Svärd (University of Helsinki) / Agnès Garcia-Ventura (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

When and where:  University of Helsinki (Finland), October 26th-28th 2014

After the workshop held in the last Rencontre Assyriologique (Ghent, July 2013) titled “Gender, Methodology and Assyriology” the organisers (Agnès Garcia-Ventura and Saana Svärd) are now pleased to announce a new workshop titled “Gender, Methodology and the Ancient Near East”.

The four keynote speakers are (in alphabetical order): Ann Guinan
(Babylonian Section, University of PA. Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology) / Stephanie Langin-Hooper (Southern Methodist
University, Dallas, Texas) / Marie Louise Stig Sørensen (University of Cambridge) / Ilona Zsolnay (University of Pennsylvania). The aim of the meeting is to discuss different methodological approaches to
gender within the framework of ancient Near Eastern studies (including archaeology, art history and text studies) and enable a fruitful dialogue between these approaches. Proposals dealing with these issues are welcome.

We encourage you to submit poster proposals instead of presentations as there are currently only a few time slots available for presentations. A specific poster session will be scheduled. Please send titles and abstracts (150-300 words) by June 10th. We will inform about acceptance of proposals (as presentations or posters) before June 20th.

Please send titles and abstracts to Saana Svärd (saana.svard@helsinki.fi) and/or Agnès Garcia-Ventura (agnes.ventura@gmail.com)

The Academy of Finland's Centre of Excellence, Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki