We have the pleasure of announcing the the 1st edition of the International Conference on Relic Studies - RelicS 2021 organized by CITAR in partnership with the Hércules Laboratory of the University of Évora, and will take place at the School of Arts of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto, Portugal), between the 24th and 27th of November 2021.

The relic, as a physical, rare and valuable remnant of a lost or destroyed religious past, as well as of great spiritual and sensory value, is a vast and complex subject due to the multiplicity of research, conservation and valuation perspectives that it raises. Despite the diversity of studies on relics and their reliquaries, both national and international, the sharing of knowledge on this subject is scarce, focusing mainly on issues of historical and anthropological nature. Thus, RelicS 2021 aims to foster interdisciplinary cross-studies, projects, strategies and artistic practices based on multiple and multidisciplinary approaches.

In 2021 we will have the opportunity to bring together different scientific areas, in order to foster discussion and share knowledge around a non-consensual and sensitive topic.

The conference will consider topics including:
1. Art History and Iconography
2. Anthropology and Sociology
3. Canon Laws
4. Theology and Religious History
5. Heritage Science
6. Conservation and Restoration
7. Musealization and Preservation Protocols
8. Religious Tourism and Heritage
9. Digital Humanities and Digital Heritage
10. Artistic and Practice-based Research.

More information here: https://artes.porto.ucp.pt/pt/relicsconference2021