This volume contains the Acts of the Expert Meeting on the Syriac Renaissance. A Period of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, organized by the Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen and the Pionier Programme in Syriac Christianity of the University of Leiden (Nijmegen, 2-4 June, 2005).



The Syriac Renaissance (11th-13th cent.) is a period which has received relatively little attention as such. Traditionally, the focus of attention has been on the literary production of individual authors as Barhebraeus or 'Abdiso' bar Brikha, without trying to study them in relation with other contemporary authors or within the context of the general theological, cultural and artistic orientations of this period.


For this reason, the aim of the Expert Meeting was:


- To complete the picture of this presumed Renaissance by presenting the works of less known authors such as Khamis Bar Qardahe, Ghiwarghis Warda, Michael Badoqa, Abu Ghalib and Dioscorus d-Gozarto (David Taylor, Martin Tamcke, Gerrit Reinink, Hidemi Takahashi, Carmen Fotescu).


- To discuss the works of better known authors such as Michael the Syrian, Barhebraeus and 'Abdiso' bar Brikha from the intercultural, interreligious and interconfessional perspectives of this period (Dorothea Weltecke, Jan van Ginkel, John Watt, Peter Joosse, Helen Younansardaroud).


- To investigate whether these perspectives can also be found in the field of biblical interpretation, manuscript production, church construction, etc. (Bas ter Haar Romeny, Ray Mouawad, Nada Hélou, Bas Snelders, Mat Immerzeel).


- To draw the attention to comparable developments among the Copts and the Armenians (Adel Sidarus and Jos Weitenberg).


The work is preceded by a general introduction to the renaissance (by Herman Teule).