Celebrating the Centenary of the Harlem Renaissance: Legacy, Influence, and Contemporary Perspectives
International Hybrid Conference
17-18 February 2024
University of Delft, The Netherlands

(In-Person/Physical Presence and Online Presentation sessions: 2 days)
(Virtual platform for pre-recorded presentations: 5 days)

Thematic Approach

GIRES, the Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship dedicated to interdisciplinarity commemorates the Centenary of the Harlem Renaissance and explore the diverse aspects of the movement, highlight its lasting impact, and examine its relevance in contemporary society.

We wish to explore as many aspects of the phenomenon including the historical context and achievements by providing a comprehensive understanding of the historical and socio-cultural context that gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance, recognize the contributions of key figures, and celebrate the artistic, literary, and intellectual achievements of the movement. In addition, we hope to explore the cultural expressions and artistic legacy by examining the rich artistic expressions of the Harlem Renaissance, including literature, visual arts, music, dance, theater, and film, and their lasting influence on subsequent generations of artists and cultural movements. The social impact and political impact is another field that we hope it will be part of the conference by investigating the social and political implications of the Harlem Renaissance, including its role in challenging racial stereotypes, promoting civil rights, and inspiring activism for social justice. Last but not least, we wish to explore the contemporary perspectives and relevance by exploring the contemporary significance of the Harlem Renaissance and its continued impact on various fields, such as literature, arts, education, social justice, and identity politics.

This conference aims to bring together scholars, artists, writers, musicians, and individuals interested in the cultural, literary, and artistic movements of the Harlem Renaissance. We seek to celebrate the achievements and ongoing impact of this transformative era in African American history and its significance in shaping American culture.

Topics for presentations and discussions may include, but are not limited to:

Proposed Topics

– Literary contributions: Analyzing the works of notable Harlem Renaissance writers, such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay, and their enduring literary legacies.
– Visual arts and aesthetics: Examining the visual arts of the Harlem Renaissance, including the paintings, sculptures, and photography that captured the spirit of the era and exploring their artistic significance.
– Music, dance, and performance: Exploring the jazz music, dance forms, and theatrical performances of the Harlem Renaissance, their influence on American culture, and their modern interpretations.
– Intellectual discourse and activism: Investigating the intellectual debates, social critique, and political activism that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance, and their impact on broader society.
– Gender and identity: Examining the representation of gender, sexuality, and identity within the Harlem Renaissance, and discussing the contributions of women artists, writers, and activists.
– Educational initiatives and cultural institutions: Discussing the educational initiatives, literary magazines, and cultural institutions that fostered creativity, intellectual exchange, and community-building during the Harlem Renaissance.

Proposed Formats (Lingua franca: English)
-Individual papers (GIRES will included it in a panel)
-Panels (up to 4 presentations-chaired by one of the presenters or appointed by GIRES)
-Roundtable presentations (chaired by one of the presenters or appointed by GIRES)
-Poster presentations
-Student presentations (one paper presented by up to 3 young scholars)
-Keynote speech (depending on the time availability)
-Pre-recorder presentation (s) (Asynchronous Platform)
-Pre-recorder presentation (s) (Synchronous-live- Sessions: live participation of presenter (s) during the Q&A sessions)

Publication Opportunity
The Organizing Committee and GIRES Press will publish the most powerful and dynamic presentations of the conference and include them
in a collective volume in the form of short articles and/or long essays. For more information please contact us

Physical Presence/In-person sessions
All participant who will attend the conference physically will have the option to have their presentations recorded.The recordings will be uploaded to GIRES media for unlimited access and dissemination.

Live Sessions Recording
All participants have the option to have their presentations recorded (during live sessions) in HD quality. The recordings will be uploaded to GIRES media for unlimited access and dissemination.

Asynchronous Options
All participants have the option to have their presentations (video/audio/text) uploaded to our Virtual Platform. All registered participants will have access to the material for 5 days.

Our proposed topics & formats are not restrictive and we invite additional germane ideas

This is a Hybrid Conference with in-person presentations in The Netherlands and online presentations that will co-exist in the program.

For more information, submissions and registration options please visit:https://www.gires.org/activities/conferences/celebrating-the-centenary-of-the-harlem-renaissance-legacy-influence-and-contemporary-perspectives/