Spanish Association for
Interdisciplinary India Studies

Agenda

1^st AEEII International Conference

India in Canada, Canada in India: Managing Diversity
29 June – 2 July 2009
University of Córdoba

The Spanish Association for Interdisciplinary India Studies is organizing the first International Conference after its recent creation and invites papers from a variety of fields, including politics, literary criticism, sociology, philosophy, history, ecology, anthropology, technology, economics, and others, which consider the relationship between India and Canada in all its possible manifestations. We will also hold parallel sessions with miscellaneous papers not related to Canada. The Conference will be hosted by the University of Cordoba, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Spain, during June 29-July 2, 2009.

Complete affiliation of author(s), and paper title, as well as telephone, fax and (ordinary) mail and e-mail addresses, should be submitted before December 31, 2008. Abstracts will be evaluated by the Conference Academic Committee and authors will be informed of their acceptance by mid-January 2009. Papers should not exceed 10 pages (2,500-3,000 words, 20 minutes' delivery) and they can be presented either in English or Spanish. A selection of the conference papers (in the English version) will be considered for publication. Please, email a 300-word abstract and a brief CV to the organizing committee (aeeiindia@gmail.com) before the end of the year.

Organization

Academic Direction and Coordination: Dr. Antonia Navarro Tejero

Organizing Committee:

• Ms. M.ª Ángeles Aguilera Otero
• Mr. Víctor Caparrós
• Dr. Cristina Gámez Fernández
• Mr. Javier Martín Párraga
• Dr. Marisa Pascual Garrido
• Mr. Juan Luis Pérez de Luque
• Ms. Esperanza Santos Moya
• Mr. Víctor Vélez García
• Ms. Rosalía Villa Jiménez

Programme

Conference Programme & Book of Abstracts

Venue

Faculty of Humanities (University of Córdoba)

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

Palacio de Viana

Registration

Registration includes admission to all sessions, exhibits, and the Welcome Reception. Be sure to register before April 27^th 2009 to receive the early-bird discount. Download the registration form and fill it with your personal details and choices for the conference. Then make a bank transfer to the following bank account:

     Bank: CajaMadrid
     Address: C/ Gondomar, 9. C. P. 14003 (Córdoba, España)
     Bank telephone number: 957497024
     Account holder: AEEII
     Concept: AEEII 2009 + participant's name
     Account number: IBAN ES54 2038 9858 5230 0030 2814
     BIC/SWIFT Code: CAHMESMMXXX

Then, you can either mail your registration form with payment proof, send it via fax or scan the documents and email them. Make sure you clearly state your full name in your bank transfer order.

     Postal address
     Cristina M. Gámez Fernández
     Dpto. de Filología Inglesa y Alemana
     Colonia de San José, 3
     Campus de Rabanales
     Universidad de Córdoba
     14071 Córdoba (España)
     Telephone numbers: +34 957212112/2059
     Fax number: +34 957 218 427
     Email: aeeiindia@gmail.com

Fee waiver

The Organising Committee has launched a fee weaver for those participants finding fund difficulties for attending the Conference. Those participants interested in applying for the fee weaver need to fill in the application form and send it via email to aeeiindia@gmail.com by April 20^th. The Organising Committee will assess all the applications received and will communicate their positive acceptance to those participants who have obtained the fee weaver via email by April 24^th 2009.

Update: As you already know, the organising committee of the First Annual Conference of the Spanish Association for Interdisciplinary India Studies "India in Canada, Canada in India: Managing Diversity" has offered fee waivers. It has been a complex process as first, there has been a very large number of applications, and second the world crisis has caused an important financial shortage also affecting our funds to cover fee waivers. Together with fee waiver applications, we have been kindly suggested to cover local hospitality (accomodation and food expenses) as well, but fee waiver applicants must know that, contrariwise to Indian practice, Conferences in Spain (and also in most European countries) do not cover local hospitality. Thus, only fees can be financially supported by our Association. This decision has been made consistently with our strong commitment to India. Therefore, it has been our aim to support twelve Indian scholars and students interested in participating in the First Conference organised by the AEEII, providing the greater economical difficulties that Indian colleagues face when visiting European meetings. Our congratulations to the colleagues who have obtained our fee waiver:

• Gunjeet Aurora
• Saugata Bhaduri
• Paromita Chakravarti
• Anil Dhingra
• Smita Jha
• Simi Malhotra
• Seema Malik
• Masrufa Nusrat
• Seema Kashyapsharma
• Rajiv Saxena
• Vishnupriya Sengupta
• Jayshree Singh

The rest of participants are strongly recommended to make their bank transfer not later than next Friday 24^th April, so as to benefit from early bird registration. We also want to remind you of the advantages of becoming a member of the Association.

Travel Information

When planning your trip to Córdoba, keep in mind that the closest airports are in Sevilla, Málaga and Madrid. From those cities, it is very easy to take a high speed train to Córdoba. For more information about schedule and fares, see Rail Europe or Renfe. In case you prefer to take a bus, these are some companies which run to Córdoba: Alsina Graells (+34 957 27 81 00) and Secorbus (+34 902 22 92 92). Once you get to the train station or to the bus station (one building just in front of the other), you can either choose to take a taxi (it should not be more than 6 euro), a bus (line 5) or even to go to the hotel on foot if you want to start enjoying our city. On foot it should not take longer than 15 minutes. Check this map to see the distance between the rail-way/bus station (Plaza de las tres culturas) and Facultad de Filosofía y Letras (Plaza del Cardenal Salazar).

How to get to Atocha Renfe train station from Barajas airport. (Look for the Metro sign in the Arrivals area leading to the Metro station located within the airport). Tickets can be bought from the counter or from automatic vending machines.

• Estimated Time: 0 h. 45 min. 15 secs. MTWTFSS: Take the PINK line (Line 8) from the Airport Metro station till Nuevos Ministerios. In Nuevos Ministerios take the NAVY BLUE line (Line 10) until Tribunal. In Tribunal change to the LIGHT BLUE line (Line 1) till Atocha Renfe.
• Estimated Time: 1 h. 0 min. 25 secs. MTWTF:Take the PINK line (Line 8) from the Airport Metro station till Mar de Cristal. In Mar de Cristal take the BROWN line (Line 4) till Diego de León. From Diego de León take the GREY line (Line 6) till Pacífico. Board the LIGHT BLUE line (Line 1) in Pacífico till Atocha Renfe.

Taxis are also available at the airport and generally cost between 35 to 40 euros (including airport supplement) for a trip to Atocha Renfe. A discount is available on train tickets for passengers making a flight connection. Please retain your boarding passes as you will be required to produce them as proof at the counter if you wish to avail of this discount. For information on timings and ticket prices of trains to Córdoba (duration of journey, approximately two and half hours), please consult the following link. To help you with the process of visa application, the names of all participants from South Asia have been sent to the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi. Please, check this website and follow the guidelines, and please don't forget to stay clearly the purpose of your visit, along with submission of all the documents.

Accommodation

There is also a youth hotel in Córdoba. If you are interested in exploring this option, please do check the following webpage. These prices will be available until May 15^th. After that date, the hotels may change the fee. To book, send the following form to Javier Martín Párraga (javier.martin@uco.es).

Social Events

The International Conference "India in Canada, Canada in India: Managing Diversity" invites participants to walk through the magic atmosphere of the narrow streets of the city of Córdoba and to relinquish the exquisiteness of its old picture in history. The Conference organisers kindly propose participants should attend the range of cultural activities which have been scheduled for the week. Amongst these, the emblematic Mosque-Cathedral, the voices of past in the Archaeology Museum, what life was like in the times of the Jewish and the Muslim by having a look at The Casa Sefarad and The Casa Andalusí, the palace of power and splendour at Madinat Al-Zhara, the symbol of opulence and Christian reign reflected through the gardens of The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and its adjacent Baths, in which quietude and the murmuring waters regale the ear, are highly recommended to visit. Not only will senses be delighted but the sense of knowledge will be also satisfied since organisers have proposed that visits should be guided.

• Guided Tapas Route in the Jewish Quarter
• Visit to Casa Andalusí
• Guided visit to The Mosque-Cathedral
• Flamenco Performance
• Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
• Guided visit to The Caliphal Alcazar Baths
• Night tour Fernandine Churches
• Guided Visit to The Ruins of Madinat Al-Zhara

Price: 15€ (entrance fees and transport included; food and drink not included). More information: Rosalía Villa (vijir22@hotmail.com)

About Córdoba

General Overview: Córdoba is a city with an enormous heritage of culture and monuments. Due partly to its strategic position on the River Guadalquivir and partly to the wealth of remains left by the different peoples who inhabited the city, Córdoba has become a privileged city in the very heart of the history of the Western World: its vast Caliphal (Arabic) civilization, during the Middle Ages, was the most brilliant in the Europe of its day and forged lasting links between East and West. For tourists, it is one of the most frequently visited of all Spanish cities, mainly because of its enormous historical interest and artistic heritage. Such influential figures in Roman civilization as the philosopher Seneca or the poet Lucan were born here, and in the 10^th century Caliphal (Arabic) Córdoba became the most refined and advanced civilization in Europe where scholars, poets, doctors, philosophers and mystics lived, some of whom achieved world-wide fame, such as the philosopher Averroes or the Jewish doctor Maimonides. The heritage dating from after the Christian conquest is equally impressive: churches, convents, hospitals, palaces and numerous stately homes surround the marvellous, unique building that is the Mosque-Cathedral and make Córdoba one of the greatest monumental cities in Europe. In 1994, the UNESCO recognised the universal importance of the historic buildings in Córdoba, by extending the limits of the World Heritage Site beyond the Mosque itself to include the whole of the historic quarter.

Brief History of the City: The first proper settlement was established in Córdoba in the late Bronze Age (8^th/9^th century B.C.). After the arrival of the Phoenicians and Greeks on the peninsula, Córdoba became known as an important mining and commercial centre, since the River Guadalquivir was then navigable as far as this city. In the 2^nd century B.C., the general Claudius Marcellus founded the city of Corduba as the capital of the Roman province Hispania Ulterior. Córdoba thrived under Roman rule, and a great number of monumental and public buildings were raised, such as the recently-discovered amphitheatre. After Hispalis became the provincial capital and as the final dismemberment of the empire drew closer, Córdoba sank into cultural and economic stagnation, which lasted through the whole period of the Visigoth occupation. In the 8^th century, Arabic troops landed on the Mediterranean coast and and easily took over the weakened Visigoth kingdom. Muslims settled in Córdoba, where they lived in harmony with their Christian counterparts. In the year 756, Córdoba was proclaimed the capital of the independent Emirate of Al-Andalus, and Abd al-Rahman I carried out the first major enlargement of the Great Mosque of Cordoba and rebuilt the city walls and the Alcazar (castle). With Hisham I and Abd al-Rahman II, the mosque was enlarged further, but it was in the rule of Abd al-Rahman III that Córdoba really came into the limelight. In the year 929 Córdoba was proclaimed Capital of the independent Caliphate thus creating a schism with Damascus, and converting Córdoba into the religious, political and administrative centre of the entire Islamic kingdom in the west. One of the Caliph's first acts was to build the dazzling, but short-lived, royal residence of Medina Azahara outside the city walls. The rule of Alhaken II, son of Abd al-Rahman III, heralded an era of stable government and the period of greatest cultural splendour in Córdoba. Alhaken II and Almanzor, vizier of Hixam II, were responsible for further enlargements of the mosque. The Caliphate finally collapsed in 1013, and the city became one of the interim Taifa kingdoms. In 1236, the troops of Fernando III "the Saint" arrived in Córdoba, and after the conquest of the city, it was resettled with Christians. Fernando III had 14 new churches built, all of which became known as Fernandine Churches in the king's honour. During the 14^th century, the massive death rate, as well as chronic shortages of food and money, plunged the city into a severe economic and social crisis. In the 15^th century, the Christian Monarchs mustered their troops in Córdoba before making the final move against the kingdom of Granada, and they received in this city Christopher Columbus, who showed them his plan to travel to "the Indies". During the 16^th century, Cordoba went through a period of economic splendour thanks to the textile, jewellery and leather industry, and King Felipe II built the Royal Stables and the Gate of the Bridge. However, the city entered into complete decline under the Borbon rule. At the beginning of the 19^th century, Córdoba suffered under the weight of the French occupation, and the Carlist disputes impoverished the city's economy even further. It was not until the mid 20^th century that Córdoba started to recover some of its lost splendour and importance. New artistic and cultural projects started, thanks to which the city of Córdoba finally came to terms with its rich and impressive historical legacy.

Places of Interest:

• Mosque-Cathedral: It is one of the most amazing buildings in the Western world. The complete evolution of the Omeyan style in Spain can be seen in its different sections, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian part. Do not miss the chance to admire its forest of columns with red and white arches or to have a walk around the orange-tree courtyard.
• Castle of the Christian Monarchs (Alcázar): In the 14^th century, Alfonso XI built the present castle, which mainly had a defensive function and which was later used as a royal residence by Spanish monarchs. The Roman mosaics, the Arab baths, the two courtyards and the renaissance gardens in Arab style count among its most interesting elements.
• The historic centre and the Jewish Quarter ("La judería"): The Jewish Quarter, once the home of the Jewish community, is the best-known part of Cordoba's historic centre, a labyrinth of winding, narrow streets and flower-filled courtyards that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994 and that is one of the largest in Europe. Do not leave Córdoba without having visited the picturesque "Plaza del Potro", "la calleja del Pañuelo" —a narrow alleyway with a delicious small fountain— and "la calleja de las Flores", with its wonderful view of the bell-tower of the Cathedral.
• Medina Azahara: This magnificent city palace was built for Abd-al Rahman III at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains five miles away from the city. Today only a small part of the city, including Abd al-Rahman III's palace, has been excavated, but the large archaeological site is certainly worth visiting.
• The Roman Bridge and the Calahorra Tower: The view over the Mosque-Cathedral, with the river, the Gate of the Bridge and the Roman Bridge itself, is one of the most wonderful sights of Córdoba. The Calahorra Tower, originally gateway to the city, stands at the south end of the Roman Bridge.
• Royal Stables: King Felipe II ordered the Royal Stables to be built and here he bred the Spanish horse, also known as the Andalusian horse.
• The Synagogue: Situated in the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba, it is unique in Andalusia and one of the three best preserved Medieval synagogues in the whole of Spain.
• Gates and City Walls: The Roman walls were maintained by the Moors and later Christian rulers, and extensive portions of these walls still stand today, together with several gates, such as the Almodovar or the Seville Gate.
• The Fernandine Churches: The so-called Fernandine Churches are a group of religious buildings built under the reign of King Fernando III "the Saint" after the Christian conquest of Córdoba in 1236. The church of Santiago, of San Lorenzo and of Santa Marina are among the most beautiful ones.

Where to eat: Some of Córdoba's traditional dishes are "salmorejo" —a cold, creamy paste made from tomato, bread and olive oil—, "boquerones en vinagre" (pickled whitebait), "rabo de toro" (bull's tail) and "flamenquín" (serrano ham and pork rolled fritter).

• Traditional food: Casa Pepe de la Judería (Romero, 1), Sociedad de Plateros (Deanes; Ambrosio de Morales; María Auxiliadora, 25), Almudaina (Campo Santo de los Mártires, 1), El Churrasco (Romero, 16), El Caballo Rojo (Cardenal Herrero, 28), Mesón San Basilio (San Basilio, 19), Bodegas Campos (Los Lineros, 32), El Barril (Concepción, 16), Casa Salinas (Puerta de Almodóvar, s/n), Mesón Juan Peña (Av. Doctor Fleming, 1), San Cristóbal (Rodolfo Gil, 4)
• International food: China Town (Chinese food; Paseo de la Victoria, 23), Confucio (Asian food; Av. Gran Capitán, 46), Gaucho's (Argentinian food; Avda. de la Libertad, 4), Pizzaiolo (Italian food and a great variety of dishes; San Felipe, 5 & Av. El Brillante, 97)
• Fast food: Burger King (Concepción, 12) & Burger King Mezquita (Cardenal Herrero, 42), Mc Donald's (Centro Comercial El Arcángel & Av. El Brillante), Oh La La (Plaza de Colón, 21; Concepción)

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