Iona Pacific Convenes International Conference:
“Scriptures in Medieval Iberia: Language, literature, and sacred text in a multi-religious society.” On June 6, 2011 Iona Pacific hosted an international conference featuring scholars from Canada, the United States, and Spain, on Scriptures in Medieval Iberia. The conference was organized by IP Director Dr. Robert Daum and Prof. Francisco Peña, from UBC’s Faculty of Critical Studies. The conference was co-sponsored by Iona Pacific at VST; the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia (Okanagan campus); Universidad de Logroño (Spain); CILENGUA (the leading Spanish language research centre); Green College at UBC, and SFU’s Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures. To facilitate this international and bilingual scholarly gathering, simultaneous translation was provided by two translators and a state-of-the-art wireless transmission system. Conference participants were equipped with wireless headsets. The event was capped by a reception, which was generously hosted by Green College, celebrating the publication of a collection of scholarly essays contributed and edited by Green College Principal and UBC Professor Mark Vessey, along with VST Faculty members Dr. Sharon Betcher, Dr. Robert Daum, and Dr. Harry Maier.
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