The landscape is defined by the Cultural Heritage Code as a “territory expressive of identity, whose character derives from the action of natural and human factors and their interrelations.” Since the 1970s, its cultural value has been recognised as a unique combination reflecting the historical, social, and artistic transformations of a community (UNESCO 1972). More than a physical space, it is a cultural and symbolic construct, a perceived heritage narrating the connection between past and present (Sauer 1925), identity and memory (Nora 1984), reality and imagination (Schama 1995). It is a dynamic and stratified palimpsest shaped by daily activities rather than extraordinary events (Brinckerhoff Jackson 1996). Thus, everyday spaces, such as streets, buildings, and neighbourhoods, reflect the cultural practices of communities (Id. 1984). From a divergent perspective, the landscape serves as an arena where power relations are naturalised, becoming integral to the perception and social organisation of space (Mitchell 1994).

As an inner place represented through figurative and performing arts, literature, and analogue and digital media, the landscape is not merely what we see, but how the world is perceived and represented (Cosgrove 1984).

Being formed by the action of natural and anthropic factors and their interrelations, today more than ever, there is a need to address the ecological question, which centres on their balance. Since the mid-20th century, the growing pressure on the environment caused by climate changes and the intensive exploitation of natural resources has brought ecological issues to the forefront (Meadows et al. 1972). In this context, ecology not only emerges as a key discipline to analyse and understand the interactions between natural elements, human activities, and cultural processes, but also invites us to rethink a new cultural paradigm (Steward 1955).

The necessity to recover alternative cultural models – such as the Mediterranean one (Cassano 1996; Morin 1999; Matvejevic 2004) – to challenge the dominant economic vision, and the development of new aesthetic, geographic, and ecological categories in abandoned or marginal spaces returned to nature (Clément 2004), represent challenges that cultural heritage stakeholders cannot avoid.
Thus, there is a need to rethink landscapes and territories in light of a renewed cultural paradigm, aiming to recognise them not only as heritage to be preserved but also as tools for fostering identity, sustainability, and meaningful bonds between communities and their surroundings.
Objectives
Through theoretical contributions and case studies, CHAIN 2025 aims to:
● Foster dialogue among disciplines, including anthropology, archaeology, archival studies, cinema, cultural geography, museology, music, art history, theatre, sciences, and technologies applied to cultural heritage.
● Explore the potential of landscapes to create connections between the past, present, and future of communities.
● Expand the field of cultural ecology in relation to the envisioned paradigm shift.
● Raise awareness of the intensive exploitation of the planet’s resources and climate change.
● Highlight the effects of the dominant socio-cultural model on the environment.

Conference Themes
The fourth edition of CHAIN intends to initiate a dialogue among cultural stakeholders, both private and public, by addressing the following thematic lines:
● Landscapes and Cultural Identity
The landscape is not only a physical space but a cultural construct encompassing the histories and identities of the communities inhabiting it. This session will host contributions exploring how landscapes influence (and are influenced by) the sense of belonging, self-definition, and politics, becoming mirrors of cultural narratives and societal processes. The role of the landscape as an element of collective memory, capable of preserving and transmitting historical and social meanings, which contribute to the construction and perpetuation of cultural identities, will also be examined.

● Landscapes and Their Representation
Landscapes have always been a source of inspiration for visual arts, literature, and new technologies. Contributions in this session will investigate how landscapes have been represented, in artistic and scientific contexts, from ancient descriptions to contemporary reinterpretations and digital technologies such as aerial photography and augmented reality, and how these languages contribute to defining their cultural significance.

● Landscapes and Cultural Performances
Cultural performance offers a unique way to experience and reinterpret the landscape. This session will accept reflections on how cinema, music, theatre, and other performing arts use the landscape as a scenographic, symbolic, or narrative element. The concept of site-specific performance, which integrates the landscape as an active part of the representation, creating a dialogue between place and art, will be explored in depth.



● Landscapes, Ecology, and Conservation
In an era of rapid climate change, reflecting on landscape conservation becomes increasingly relevant. This session will explore themes such as the resilience of marginal landscapes, the role of the Third Landscape as a biodiversity reserve, and the challenges of resource exploitation. Innovative approaches to the study and preservation of landscapes will be explored, ranging from the mapping and reconstruction of archaeological sites to their valorisation, with particular focus on the dialogue between historical and contemporary landscapes and the contribution of conservation practices to ecological awareness and sustainable development.
 
General Information
The call is open to young cultural heritage stakeholders, such as PhD students, researchers, museum staff, cultural associations, etc.
The conference will take place in person at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania, with the possibility of remote participation. Contributions can be presented as oral presentations or posters.
Each presenter will have a maximum of 20 minutes for their presentation. The conference languages are English and Italian.
Posters will be displayed in a dedicated area and will be the subject of a dedicated session.
To encourage dialogue and participation, we strongly suggest presenting contributions in English. The text of PowerPoint presentations must be in English.
Abstracts (title, three keywords, max. 300 words, in Italian or English) must be submitted by 17 April 2025, along with a brief bibliography, to the email address: segreteria@chain-conference.com. Please indicate whether you intend to participate with an oral presentation or a poster. The abstract must be accompanied by a short bio of each speaker and co-author in English (max. 200 words per author). Acceptance will be communicated via email.
A registration fee is required to participate in the conference and for the publication of proceedings as follows:
- Each speaker (and co-author) attending in person must pay a fee of €40;
- Remote participation requires a registration fee of €30;
- For each co-author not attending the conference in person, a fee of €10 is required.
Details on registration and payment methods will be communicated after the acceptance of submissions.
Updates, schedules, and information on mobility and accommodation will be provided via email, the CHAIN website (www.chain-conference.com), and social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn).
 
CHAIN BOARD

Pietro Maria Militello (PhD Coordinator, Archaeology Area)
Maria Rosa De Luca (PhD Vice-Coordinator, Musicology Area)
Germana Barone (Museology and Applied Mineralogy Area)
Barbara Mancuso (Art History Area)
Anna Mignosa (Cultural Heritage Economics Area)
Melania Nucifora (History Area)
Stefania Rimini (Cinema, Photography, Radio, Television and Digital
Media Area)
Simona Scattina (Performing Arts Area)
Filippo Stanco (Applied IT for Cultural Heritage Valorization Area)
Simona Todaro (Archaeology Area)



CHAIN 2025 TEAM

EXECUTIVE BOARD
Davide-Giulio Aquini, Alessandro Di Costa, Doriana Masucci, Thea Messina, Enrico Riccobene.

COMMUNICATION
Davide Aquini, Francesca Attanzio, Marta Bertuna, Lavinia Fallea, Salam Fathi, Sergio Frenna (responsabile), Lorenzo Galvagno, Federica Malpasso, Giovanna Santaera, Sharon Tudisco.

SECRETARIAT
Graziana Adorno, Sofia Bordieri (responsabile), Concetta Cataldo, ⁠Giuseppe Monte.

LOGISTICS
Sofia Bulgarini, Concetta Cataldo, Serena D’Amico, Giuliana De Luca (responsabile), Simona Distefano, Grazia Nicotra, Francesca Prado, Maria Chiara Tomarchio.



CONTACTS

Email: info@chain-conference.com; segreteria@chain-conference.com;
Sito: www.chain-conference.com
Università degli Studi di Catania