Aramaic and Iranian Scripts on the Silk Roads

Period: 16-18 September 2024

L’Orientale Unit the PRIN 2020 project “Cultural interactions and language contacts: Iranian and non-Iranian languages in contact from the past to the present” is delighted to announce the Summer School “Aramaic and Iranian Scripts on the Silk Roads”.
The Summer School focuses on a significant quota of manuscript finds in Iranian and Semitic languages stemming from the oasis of Turfan/Turpan on the upper branch of the Silk Road, mainly resulting from the activity of the four German expeditions (1902-1914) organized by the then Museum für Asienkunde (today Museum für Asiatische Kunst) in Berlin.

The Manichaean and Christian MSS, in different writings, ultimately derived from the Aramaic script, and in Syriac and multiple Middle Iranian languages (Parthian, Middle Persian, Manichaean and Christian Sogdian, Bactrian) represent both a variety and quality of extraordinary interest for the instruction and entertainment of younger scholars interested in disciplines as diverse as Iranian philology, Semitics, Christian literature and missionary activity in Asia, Manichaeology, History of Religions, Languages and Cultures in Contact. Furthermore, an overview of the Jewish-Iranian languages is offered in order to draw attention to one of the modern survivors deeply rooted in Central Asia in view of audiences particularly interested in Asian ethnology and religious history. The legacy of Buddhist culture is beyond the scope of the Summer School.

The program of the Summer School includes 6 lectures and 4 seminars: four guest scholars, of internationally recognized expertise, together with members of our PRIN team shall deliver the lectures and direct the seminars.

Why in Naples?

In addition to the original Napolitan pizza and the beauty of the panorama that will leave you breathless, the Summer School offers a guided tour of the ‘Neapolitan Turfan’, namely, the Archeological Park of Herculaneum along with the special visit to the Villa of the Papyri (where a library of ca. 2000 papyri was discovered in 1750), normally closed to the public.

Is it possible to join in distance learning mode?

The Summer School will not be run in distance learning mode since the social network during coffee breaks, lunches, the social dinner and the trip to Herculaneum are intended to be an integral part of the program.

Principal Investigator

• Ela Filippone, University of Tuscia

The members of the Naples section of the PRIN 2020 project:

• Riccardo Contini,
• Gian Pietro Basello, 
• Maria Maddalena Colasuonno.

Guest Scholars:

• Andrea Piras, University of Bologna,
• Chiara Barbati, University of Pisa,
• Martina Galatello, University of Pisa,
• Christiane Reck, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities,
• Adriano Valerio Rossi, President of ISMEO, University of Naples L’Orientale.

The Summer School is designed especially for MA graduates and PhD students who wish to develop their expertise in Iranian philology, Semitics, Christian literature and missionary activity in Asia, Manichaeology, History of Religions, Languages and Cultures in Contact, Asian Ethnology and Religious History.
It would also be beneficial for scholars at the beginning of their careers who aspire to expand their knowledge in any of the previously mentioned disciplines.

The registration fee is 50 euros.

What does the fee include?

The fee covers registration, coffee breaks, a social dinner and a guided tour to Herculaneum along with travel by a private bus from the University of Naples L’Orientale.

What does the fee NOT include?

The fee does not include the costs of travel and accommodation. Participants are encouraged to find accommodation near the University of Naples L’Orientale, Palazzo Corigliano, Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, 12 - Napoli.

If you wish to attend the Summer School, please fill in the registration form and send it to silkroadscripts@unior.it together with a copy of the Personal ID, no later than 31 July 2024. Registration is completed following the actual payment. Students from the University of Naples L’Orientale are not required to send a copy of the Personal ID.
Please, do not hesitate to write to silkroadscripts@unior.it in case of problems.

The number of participants is limited, the first ones to register have the priority.

Deadline: The deadline for registration is 31 July 2024.

Certificate of attendance

Attendees who successfully and completely attend and participate in the Summer School will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

For further information concerning the Summer School, please write an email to: silkroadscripts@unior.it.

Palazzo Corigliano - Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, 12 - Napoli - Salone delle Conferenze (2nd Floor).

The venue of the Summer School is located in the exact centre of the ancient city of Naples.

From the Central Train Station, the university is easily reached by a 20-minute walk or by Metro Station (line A – Garibaldi; stops: Dante - 8-minute walk - or Università - 10-minute walk).

The university is also well connected with the International Airport of Naples Capodichino (NAP) by using the Alibus shuttle bus to the Central Train Station and the Metro Station (line A).

From the harbour (both Molo Beverello and Molo Angioino), the university is easily accessible to the Metro Station (line A - Municipio).

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