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The Aigyptos Foundation, in cooperation with the Slovak National Museum – Museum Betliar and with support of the Pro Oriente civic association, had the pleasure to host the IX. International Conference on Egypt (under the Khedives) and (Imperial) Austria. This prominent event took place in the Betliar Castle from 21^st to 24^th October 2013.
This year’s conference topic was ‘The Perception of Orient in Central Europe (1800-1918)’. The particular time period was selected mainly because of the Egyptomania that developed in Europe after Napoleon Bonaparte’s military campaign to Egypt in 1798. It marked a considerable increase of interest of the Europeans not only in Egypt but in other Near Eastern Countries as well as in Oriental culture as such.
More than 30 scholars from 8 countries delivered their presentations in the conference. Their contributions dwelt not only on the different perceptions of Egypt in Central Europe during the long 19^th century, but also on the wider legacy of Egyptomania and Orientalism and their overhangs in the Mediterranean and in the Ottoman Empire.
E&A IX_Programme
Mgr. Eva Lazárová – Director of the Betliar Museum, Dr. Johanna Holaubek – Chairwoman of the Egypt and Austria scientific association, Dr.phil. Ľubica Hudáková – member of the Board of Trustees of Aigyptos Foundation delivered the introductory speeches. Total of twenty four contributions were presented in the conference.
The conference was accompanied with a varied and lively cultural programme. Conference participants got a chance to get acquainted more closely with the culture and history of the Gemer Region of south-eastern Slovakia. Apart from the exposition in Betliar Castle they were also able to enjoy visits in the Mausoleum of Krásna Hôrka, the gothic church in Štítnik and the historical centre of Rožňava and Košice. Particular insight into the culinary specialities of Gemer and the taste of vine from Sobrance-region Vineyards offered the Vine Cellars in hotel Čierny Orol.
Presentations about the Ancient Egyptian history were given to the local public in Rožňava. In her presentation entitled ‘Brother or Enemy?’ Mgr. Veronika Dubcová spoke about the first peace treaty in history and its background. Dr. Jozef Hudec presented Slovak part of the joint Polish-Slovak archaeological excavations on Tell el-Retaba and Mgr. Martin Odler talked about Egypt in the Slovak culture of the long 19^th century (1800-1918 AD).  Mr. Pavol Burdiga, the mayor of Rožňava, visited these presentations that were also positively valued by the audience: www.maticaroznava.sk

Participants of the conference:

Proceedings of the conference: