The Memoria Hungariae Research Group at the Institute of History of the University of Debrecen, with the support of the NKFIH Mecenatúra (MEC_SZ_24_148960) grant, is organizing an international conference on “Political, Cultural, Religious and Economic Transformations in the 15th-16th Centuries” on 27–28 February 2025 in Debrecen.

The conference will focus on the political, cultural, religious, and economic transformations that took place at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Several significant events will be commemorated (e.g. 1492: Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Founding of the Spanish Empire; 1524–1525: German Peasants’ War; 1525: the Founding of the Prussian Duchy, the Battle of Pavia, 1555: the Peace of Augsburg). We expect presentations from national and international researchers who will provide case studies to answer questions about the changes in Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.

Applications are invited for the conference on the following topics

• The impact of geographical discoveries on European society, political order and economy.
• European power relations at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Religious trends, reforms and tensions at the dawn of the 16th century.
• The impact of the threat of the Ottoman Empire on the European powers.
• Military and strategic developments from the late 15th to the late 16th century.
• Similar or different economic changes in Eastern and Western Europe.
• The emergence and impact of new technical achievements.
• Political changes on the Mediterranean coast.
• New state formations and their first rulers.
• Methodological issues in the historical research of the period.
• Presentation of source works for a better understanding of the period.
• Other historical topics related to the period.

The conference will be attendance-based, with presentations lasting 20 minutes and concluding with debates. Accommodation and meals will be provided for conference participants.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to lendulet.unideb@gmail.com with a 180-200 word abstract in English, German or Italian by 24 November.

Organisers

Prof. Dr. László Pósán

Prof. Dr. Attila Bárány

Department of History University of Debrecen