T.S.Eliot was influenced by Dante Alighieri and loved the culture of Florence and Italy. He wrote poems and essays dedicated to Italy and Dante, and re-introduced Dante to the Twentieth-century English-speaking world. This international symposium will focus upon the influence of Dante upon Twentieth-century English and American modernist poetry through the medium of T.S. Eliot’s work. Possible topics include:

■ Dante’s Influence on Eliot’s poetry and criticism
■ Italian Motifs in Eliot’s Poetry
■ T.S. Eliot and the Italian Visual Art of the Renaissance
■ Visions of the Universe: “Four Quartets” and the “Divine Comedy”
■ Dante’s Perception in T.S Eliot’s Literary Theory
■ Eliot's influence on Dante Scholarship

Participants should be scholars or critics of literature and/or the arts. Attendance of young researchers is most welcome. The symposium will take place under the patronage of the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation, and the number of participants is restricted to 30. Participation is open also to the auditors.

Abstract or papers max 8.000 characters (together with a detailed CV) may be sent by regular mail or as email attachments to any one of the co-organizers:

■ Professor Temur Kobakhidze, Dept. of European Language and Literature, Tbilisi State University, I Chavchvadze 380028, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. (email: tk282@cam.ac.uk)

■ Professor Paul Douglass, English Department, San Jose State University, San Jose, California, U.S.A. 95192-0090 (email: douglass@sjsu.edu)

Deadline for sending the abstract: 30 of November 2007. The selection of the participants will be ready and communicated within 31st of December 2007.

The organisation Promo Florence Events will provide for conditions of accommodation and guided visits. Soon online.

Draft of the Program (to be confirmed)

1st Day
Arrival of Participants

2nd Day
Visit to Dante’s House Museum (to be confirmed)

3rd Dat
Morning session:
• Presentation of the papers selected by the co-organisers

Break
Noon session:
• Presentation of the papers selected by the co-organisers

4th Day
Morning session:
• Presentation of the papers selected by the co-organisers

Break
Afternoon: Visit in the museums (to be confirmed)

5th Day
Visit in the museums (to be confirmed)
Break
Visit in the museums (to be confirmed)

Wednesday: gala dinner

6th Day
Morning session:
• Presentation of the papers selected by the co-organisers

Break
Visit in the museums (to be confirmed)

7th Day
Morning session: conclusion – round table

Break
Afternoon: visit to the museum (to be confirmed)
Final Concert (to be confirmed)

8th Day
Departure