Humanities Symposium Celebrates 25 Years
Belmont University closed out its week-long Humanities Symposium on Oct. 2, celebrating 25 years of critical conversation, cultural exploration and language.
“When we started this symposium, we started it because we believed passionately about the humanities as not just an academic, but a humanistic endeavor,” said Maggie Monteverde, English Professor and one cofounder of the symposium.
The Humanities Symposium became an annual tradition following 2001 when the first event was launched in the Belmont Mansion . With notable guest speakers such as Maya Angelou, Margaret Atwood and other pioneers of the humanities, this event is a highly anticipated week for many.
The symposium's theme was “Our Common Humanity”. This theme was explored through a variety of panel events, guest speakers and a concert.
The opening day was kicked off with a variety of guest speakers. Common humanity was explored through critical though and reflection at the “Preserving the Past” opening event.
“I think the humanities are particularly good at identifying what those common questions are, but having a symposium that consciously expanded its boundary to be more than just a collection of humanities is special,” Jason Lovvorn, guest speaker and Belmont English professor during the panel.
Throughout the rest of the week, panels with guest speakers explored common humanity through cultural exploration. At a panel event consisting of Belmont's LUMOS award winners, travellers detail the experience of moving to another country while finding commonality with people of different cultures.
“I found common humanity in myself through learning to utilize the community I was creating with the volunteers as well as the connections I had back home. Facetime and virtual calls with my therapist helped a lot during this transition.” Spain Lumos traveller said.
The symposium included a viewing of the film “Coda,” a presentation on “Dungeons and Dragons,” multiple presentations and panels. Closing the symposium with its first-ever concert, participants of the symposium celebrated the theme of Common Humanity, experiencing connection with one another through music.
Written by Miracle Clemmons and Cormic Evans
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