Purgatory Project Symposium at Chester Cathedral

A two-day symposium exploring themes of purgatory, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy

with world-renowned experts in their field and the chance to explore local artists’ interpretation of purgatory today in a multi-site exhibition curated by Professor Maggie Jackson.

The Wednesday evening includes dinner and a panel discussion on ‘How is Dante’s Purgatorio relevant in the twenty-first century?’

If you are interested in attending the dinner only, please book here.

Wednesday 1 October

1-2pm              Optional Introduction and Orientation for Dante Newbies – Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith and Professor Maggie Jackson

2pm                 Tea, cake and Registration

2.15-3.15pm   ‘How to live well even when you’re dead!’ – Rev Dr Claire Honess, former Director of the Leeds Centre for Dante Studies

3.15-4.15pm   ‘Purgatorial Vision: Incarceration and Human Encounter in Dante and Jesse Krimes’ – Dr Thomas Graff, University of Notre Dame

4.15-5.15pm   Panel discussion with artists exhibiting work as part of the Project

5.30pm            Evening Prayer (optional)

6.30pm            Dinner and drinks in the Cathedral refectory including panel discussion on ‘How is Dante’s Purgatorio relevant in the 21^st century?’

Thursday 2 October

9.30am            Coffee and pastries

10-11am          ‘Before the Ending of the Day: Music, Liturgy and Dante’s Purgatorio’ – Dr Helena Phillips-Robins, Cambridge University

11-12.30           Purgatorio Short Papers:

• ‘From Mount Purgatory to Station Island: Dante, Heaney, Poetry and Pilgrimage’ – Dr Brenda Garvey, University of Chester
• ‘Climbing the impossible mountain: Translating Dante with Ichabod Charles Wright (1795-1871)’ – Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith, Chester Cathedral
• ‘Catholic Teaching on Purgatory and Catholic Perceptions’ – Fr Paul Shaw, St Werburgh’s Chester
• ‘How to get out of Purgatory’ – Dr Spencer Pearce, University of Manchester

12.30-1pm       Lunch (sandwiches)

1.10pm             Organ Recital (optional)

2-3pm              ‘Dante: Doubt and Delight’ – Professor Robin Kirkpatrick, Cambridge University and Penguin Classics translator

3-3.30pm          Plenary (Anthony Lees-Smith and Maggie Jackson)