Hauptinhalt

Friday, May 16th 2025, 2:00–4:30 PM

Workshop program as PDF

  • 1. From Shiva to Simorgh. Displaying Religious Objects & Narrating Attar’s Mystic Tale in The Museum Of Religions

    The collection of religious objects founded at Marburg University by Rudolf Otto in 1927 also functions as a museum of religions. It houses over 10,000 religious objects from different cultures, regions and religions. We explore the collection with Edith Franke (professor for the Study of Religion in Marburg) and Susanne Rodemeier (curator of the collection), to understand and examine how the presentation of religious objects shapes and transforms religious atmospheres.

    A highlight of our visit is the special exhibition “Visualising the Myth of Simorgh”, introduced by the curator Pardis Eskandaripour, which takes us into the realm of Sufism and the path of the Iranian mystic Attar. Combining a guided tour with discussions, this workshop invites participants to reflect on the dynamic interplay between objects, narrative traditions, and changing atmospheres.

  • 2. Experiencing Christian Sanctuaries. A Mystagogical Exploration

    For this workshop, we hope to gain insights into religious experiences by visiting two catholic churches in Marburg. Expert for roman-catholic liturgy Professor Cornelius Roth will introduce us to St John’s and St Peter and Paul. The former is a beautiful little church that was built at the beginning of the 16th century while the latter is of more modern conception and dates to the 20th century. Together, we will explore the spatiality of these sanctuaries, taking in their similarities and differences. This workshop will engage the senses and tickle academic curiosity. Churches are mediums of theology and places of liturgy that can be seen, touched, smelled and heard. We aim for you to gain access into the religious atmosphere created by these ingredients.

  • 3. Plants, Rituals, And Religion. A Sensory Journey to Graeco-Roman Egypt

    Plants shape and are used in religious rituals, serving as a connection between the spiritual and the practical. In this interactive workshop, we explore the relationship between religion, plant cultivation and usage in Graeco-Roman Egypt. Participants will dive into an input session, given by Egyptologist Flora Andreozzi, touching on topics such as the role of religion in plant cultivation and ritual use, as well as the social-economic significance of plant cultivation, followed by a hands-on exploration of plant specimens. As an additional activity, participants will craft incense burners and test different kind of incense while informally discussing the subject. This 2.5-hour workshop blends botanical history, sensory engagement, and creative practice for a unique exploration of plants in religious contexts.