The call for papers for the 2nd International Conference on Relics Studies (RelicS 2026) conference is now open.
If you are a researcher, professor, conservator-restorer, or any professional involved in religious heritage (mediation and valorization), this call is for you.
The event about religious heritage, with a focus on relics and reliquaries, will be held from September 24th to 26th, 2026, at the University of Évora, within the framework of the research project Holy Bodies.
The aim is to promote dialogue between historical, material and cultural approaches, with the main the objective being to reinforce and consolidate the study of religious heritage, particularly relics, as an interdisciplinary research field, bringing together researchers and professionals from different areas and contexts. The program will include invited lectures, presentations of papers, and thematic panels.
The proposals must be submitted until May 10, 2026.
The conference will have a hybrid format: there will be in-person sessions at the University of Évora and livestreaming, allowing for the participation of a national and international audience.
Registration and abstract submission must be done on the conference platform, where registration fees are available for consultation. The event programme can also be found at this link.
The simulacra of catacomb martyrs are significant religious artefacts, noteworthy for their historical and religious context, as well as the diverse materials and complex production techniques involved in their creation. The urgency of studying these artefacts is heightened by the lack of national and international scientific literature, leading to imprecise interpretations of their significance and a potential irreversible loss of this religious heritage.
The Holy Bodies project aims to unveil the historical, artistic, and religious context of the corpi santi and their simulacra in Portugal. Its objectives include recognising, safeguarding, and enhancing these often-overlooked heritage artefacts while raising awareness among the general public, academics, and their owners. This will be accomplished by a specialised team of researchers, consultants, and advisors employing inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.
Holy Bodies | An Atlas of the Corpi Santi in Portugal (https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.01486.PTDC) is funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology and will run from March 2023 to March 2026.
The project is coordinated by the Hercules Laboratory at the University of Évora.