Christianity and Czech Society in the Middle Ages: Norms and Reality (the European contexts of Czech themes)

The current debate on European identity logically relates to the Christian foundation of our common European culture. However, this debate occurs at a far too general level, even when it concerns the core of Europe which is considered, in terms of the theme specified, as a region in many ways normative. The proposed project therefore seeks to bring the debate down to a more concrete level with a special regard to the Czech Lands, contrasting, in particular, the norms of ideal Christianity with its actually lived forms and the contributions of peripheral and central regions to the shaping of European identity. It is advantageous that two first-rank Czech institutions, namely the Centre for Medieval Studies at AV ČR and UK in Prague and the Catholic Theological Faculty of UK in Prague, joined their capacities in order to investigate the main themes and to build and operate specialised doctoral studies. This combination allows a more efficient use of personal and technical sources and offers a possibility of studying the themes in parallel by a workplace confessionally neutral and an institution anchored in its confession. The project is executed on an international scale and is divided into four thematic modules:
1. Religio christiana: From the state religion to individual piety
2. Centre and periphery: Forms of communication
3. Christianity and state power: Ceremonies and rituals
4. Ordo et artes: Material and spiritual culture

CONTACT PERSON:

Doc. PhDr. Petr Sommer, CSc.
e-mail: sommer@arup.cas.cz
More details on the project: www.cms.flu.cas.cz/cms/index.html