Invitation - 9th Tsakonian Conference Tsakonian Archives

The Tsakonian Archives as depositary of Tsakonian history, language and traditional culture makes the announcement of the 9^th Tsakonian Conference.

In the frame of celebration of 200 anniversary of Greek revolution of 1821, the Tsakonian Archive organizes the Conference

“Tsakonians and the period of Greek Revolution”

in Leonidio (Fabbrica of Culture), March 14–16.

Greek Revolution of 1821 is one of the most important events in the history of Greece. The royal decree by Otto of Greece (1838) transformed March 25 into National Day of Greece, and at the end of the 19^th century, George I announced this date as the day of re-creation of Greek people.

March 16 is historical and heroic day in Tsakonia, because according to original sources (i. e. “Lakena” by Th. Oikonomos and “Deeds of Tsakonians during Greek revolution” by M. Deffner) acknowledged that Leonidio participated in revolutionary events.

Tsakonians, hardy, courageous and longing for freedom, would never accept foreign oppression. Ancient klephts from the Parnon, teachers of the Generation, members of Filiki Eteria, the best of the best, war-leaders, captains, they kindled the flame of the Revolution and starting with Leonidio, they made the whole Tsakonia the center of the revolutionary movement.

The Conference intends to regard Tsakonia within its original borders. Today only the South-East Kynouria in the prefecture of Arcadia is called Tsakonia, the area from the Eastern slopes of the Parnon to the Argolic Gulf. It is 30–40 km long and 20–25 km wide. Along with small settlements, modern Tsakonia has towns Leonidio, Prastos and Tyros and villages Pera Melana, Kastanitsa, Sitaina. Previously, territory of Tsakonia was much larger. It almost reached Nafplio and included Vatika and Monemvasia, i. e. Cape Maleas (Gerlach 1578, Villoison 1788). This geographical region, as well as the presence of Tsakones in Constantinople (Istanbul) and the entire Ottoman Empire, in Russia and in the Balkan countries, will be the reference area of the Conference.

The Organizing Committee of the 9^th Tsakonian Conferense suggests that the talks should refer to the following subjects:

History — Historical events
Education
Architecture
Seamanship and trade
Prastos — Leonidio — Constantinople (Istanbul)
Everyday life
Language
Folklore (Morality, Customs, Traditions, Dress, Food, Religion, Mythology)
Art (Dance, Literature and Poetry, Music, Painting, Iconography, Textile)

We invite scholars, students, postgraduate students, historians and researchers of Tsakonia who would like to participate in the 9^th Tsakonian Conference to send their abstracts to info@tsakonianarchives.gr

Deadline is December 15, 2019. Those who are interested in participation should send the title of their talk, abstract (up to 500 words) 5–10 keywords before the deadline. The participants will be defined before December 31, 2019.

The talks should not be longer than 15 minutes. We shall also publish conference proceedings both in paper and digitally on the WEB Site of the Tsakonian Archives — https://www.tsakonianarchives.gr — where the participants will have the possibility to present their research with more details.

The conference will take place Fabrika of Culture in Leonidio (Arcadia). The Tsakonian Archives as organizational entity of the 9^th Tsakonian Conference will provide all the necessary information about the hotels and conference presentations on the WEB Site