(April, 21st 2016) Esotericism, occultism and fantastic in Italian literature. Those were the subjects discusses at the Italian Institute of Culture in Prague where the Italian institution held the first scientific congress on these issues. Entitled “The yearning for the unknown. Esotericism, occultism and fantastic in Italian literature between fin de siècle and Vanguard”. The international conference was organized by the Department of Italian Studies of the Faculty of Arts, University Carlo IV in Prague in collaboration with the Institute. From April 13th to 15th the event gathered at the IIC more than sixty scholars from several countries: Milan, Bologna, Pisa, Naples, Venice, Perugia, Parma, Paris, Prague, Madrid, Warsaw, Edinburgh, Bonn, Antwerp, Malta and Bucharest. In the Czech Capital they discussed about the narrative outcome of the “crisis of reason” and about the links that bond esoteric literature, fantastic, spiritualism and so-called “occult sciences”. As it came to light during the conferences, the relationship between literature and the esoteric is far from being marginal to have a profound and complete understanding of the literary currents and movements; as well as to understand the works of many authors both from Italy and other countries. The Prague event is an important step; as it was the first scientific congress promoted by an Italian Institution on the subject of esotericism, occultism and fantastic in the national literature. The initiative fills a long-time delay and it realigns with other events held in France, Holland and England. In those countries, indeed, they have been created appropriate departments and courses at the university so to study esotericism as an historical and cultural component of western society. The proceedings of the conference are expected for the second half of 2017. (red)
