2000 POZNAN SYMPOSIUM
Prehistory of Northeastern Africa
This Symposium took place in the city of Poznan, situated in western Poland, as is already traditional every few years since 1980. The organizers choose adequate locations situated near the city of Poznan and this year the beautiful Hotel Puszczykowo was selected, a place situated in the midst of picturesque woods near the Warta river, although with all the modern facilities for conferences of this nature and very comfortable accommodation for participating scholars. The organizers, Profs. Lech Krzyzaniak and Michal Kobusiewicz, assisted by a very efficient team of collaborators, made sure, as usual, that every detail was taken care of with the result that the Symposium could be run without any noticeable glitches.
This year's participants from all over the world
( Most of these photographs were taken by Dr. Andrzej Prinke )
About 50 scholars from many countries presented papers on their recent research dealing with the subject matter of the conference, followed by discussions which were often long and highlighted various angles of the subjects that were brought up. A full Report on this Symposium can be read by accessing the link given below:
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT ON THE SYMPOSIUM
After this conference, all the participating scholars were taken to Poznan in order to visit the Archaeological Museum, situated in a beautiful Renaissance palace that was seriously damaged during the last world war but that was restored later to its former splendour. One of the good consequences of a terrible conflict was that many of the old architectural features of the building that had been hidden by clumsy pre-war renovation, which was destroyed during the war, are now in full view since the palace was not restored to its later Baroque aspect but they preferred the original Renaissance version instead.
The group was escorted by Prof. Krzyzaniak to see the permanent exhibition on Polish Prehistory at the museum and also to the new temporary exhibition of ancient Egyptian art on loan from the Berlin Egyptian Museum.
A buffet lunch was served and an official from the Poznan Municipality welcomed the group. The Poznan Archaeological Museum is not only located in a central and easily accessible area but also has a large and modern lecture hall and several very comfortable guest rooms where visiting scholars can stay profiting from the Director's generous hospitality. The consequence of all this is that the participating scholars lingered as much as possible and felt sorry to leave so soon a place in which they were so warmly received.
To the left, Profs. Kobusiewicz and Krzyzaniak during the opening of the Symposium; in the centre, Profs. Wendorf, Kuper and Vermeersch with Mr. Hassan Hussein Idris, Director General of the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums of the Sudan who is delivering the opening speech; to the right, Prof. Castillos reading his paper on the Badari cemeteries.
During the Symposium the group had dinner in the open near a bonfire and several Sudanese musicians played their music, these photos show the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that surrounded this academic event.
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