Kalamazoo Times

More than 2,000 medieval scholars from around the globe will gather at Western Michigan University's Main Campus from May 8-10 for the 60th International Congress on Medieval Studies. This year's congress employs a hybrid format, featuring 334 traditional in-person sessions, 131 virtual sessions, and 90 hybrid sessions to facilitate interaction between in-person and virtual participants.

Dr. Robert F. Berkhofer III, director of the WMU Medieval Institute, remarked, "The congress is a place for all medievalists. No matter what they study, who they are or where they come from, we welcome them to Kalamazoo for scholarship and fellowship."

The event will span across several campus venues, including the WMU Student Center, Sangren Hall, Waldo Library, Kanley Chapel, and the Gilmore Theatre Complex. Among the various sessions offered are papers, roundtables, poster sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and performances. A selection of virtual and hybrid sessions will be recorded and available for viewing post-event. The plenary lectures and the "Reception of the Classics" lecture are slated for live broadcast.

Dr. Anthony Kaldellis from the University of Chicago will give his lecture titled "East Rome and the Shaping of the Greek Classical Canon" on May 8 at 7 p.m. Dr. Haruko Momma from New York University will speak the following day on "Intersectional Onomastics in Medieval Studies: Terms, Terminology and Theories of Naming" at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Dawn Hadley of the University of York will conclude the plenary lectures on May 10, with her talk on "The Viking Great Army and its Legacy."

Special events include a range of concerts, plays, library exhibits, and the annual Saturday evening dance. The Exhibits Hall will feature a diverse array of academic presses, artisans, used booksellers, and purveyors of medieval sundries. The Mostly Medieval Theatre Festival will present "The Book of Silence," a contemporary adaptation embedding the medieval adventure story within a modern narrative, curated by Dr. Lofty Durham and Wally M. Cornell.

Advance registration for the congress closes on April 20, with discounted rates available for WMU email holders and Kalamazoo residents. Continuing registration is open until the congress ends but incurs a late fee for in-person attendees. Online content and recorded sessions remain accessible until May 31.

Future congress dates are set for May 14-16, 2026, and May 13-15, 2027.

For additional information and events, visit WMU News online.