The Policy Studies Organization is sponsoring the World Conference on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History: Research in Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, France, May 29-30, 2015. The conference will be held biennially in Paris, and hopes to open new doors while promoting multilingual and multicultural scholarship in areas such as, the relations between such Masonic-related subjects as the Companionnage, guilds, friendly societies, and Greek fraternities.
Convened by the journal Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society, in cooperation with the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, France, the first World Conference on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History: Research in Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society, focuses on the study of ritual, secrecy, and civil society vis-à-vis the dynamics of Masonic scholarship around the world. The conference explores how civil society, secrecy, and ritual have been important elements during different episodes of local and world histories, and indeed still are. The WCFFH 2015 is a part of the Policy Studies Organization's support of research into social capital, civility, and the role of non governmental organizations in democracy.
All papers accepted presented will be published by Westphalia Press in three collections: Vital Masonic Scholarship in the 21st Century, New Research in Secret Societies, and European Scholarship in Secrecy and Ritualism, and will be available in-print and electronically.
In order to make possible the attendance of all interested parties, the sponsors have agreed that there will be no registration fee for the 2015 conference and complimentary coffee and refreshments will be provided for those in attendance. This owes much to the great support of the Bibliothèque Nationale in being such a generous host. One of the world's extraordinary libraries with a remarkable Masonic collection, it is well worth exploring while you are in Paris. And although there is no registration fee, it is imperative that all attendees and participants still register, so that we may facilitate the proper arrangements and accommodations. Early inquiry is appreciated in regards to special requests for hearing enhancement, physically challenged access, child care, or other potential needs of our guests.
Register Here
Click here for more details of the Conference.
Committee on the Francken Documents: All Day Sessions at the Museum of Freemasonry, rue Cadet
A workshop organized by invitation, to view and analyze developments with the Francken Manuscripts and other eighteenth century original documents, will be held at the Museum of Freemasonry, rue Cadet, directly preceding the conference.The workshop will present and discuss a special exhibit of materials not previously on public display. Click here for more information and to reserve a spot...
4:00 PM Thursday 4pm- Viewing and reception for the Francken Documents at the Museum of Freemasonry (http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/Francken-Manuscript.html)
*Thursday 8:30 PM The French premiere of "Golem", Théâtre des Abbesses, tickets available here. See the discussion, Grand Lodge of British Columbia and the Yukon athttp://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/pentagram/golem.html
*All Day Attraction, Early arrivals might consider the several hundred antiquarian bookshops and the unusual flea markets with various manuscripts and books. The Seine-side booksellers with their familiar green metal display cases will be open in force.http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/tp/Best-Bookshops-In-Paris.htm
Day One: Friday- May 29, 2015- Taking Stock
9:00AM Coffee in the Foyer
9:30 - 10:00 AM Welcome- Grand Auditorium
Guillermo De los Reyes, (Conference Chair), Jean-Loup Graton, (Bibliothèque Nationale), Pierre Mollier, (Editor- Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society)
10:00 - 10:45 AM Keynote Address- Grand Auditorium
Margaret C. Jacob, Distinguished Professor of History, University California of Los Angeles- Civil Society in an Uncivil Age: An Agenda for Freemasonry, Past and Present
Introduced by: Paul J. Rich, President, Policy Studies Organization
10:45 - 11:30 AM Special Instrumental Presentation- http://mvmm.org
Special session chaired by: Charles Bonaparte
400 Years of Masonic Music- Special Instrumental Presentation
Mozart actually wrote for a unique instrument called the basset horn, absent from recitals of Masonic music for 200 years. Music historian, Gille Thorne, has restored the proper place of the basset and will share his adventures.
11:30-11:45 AM Coffee in the Foyer
11:45AM - 1:00 PM Salon Breakout Sessions
Salon One: Unresolved Historical Inquiries
John Belton and Count Alessandro Cagliostro, Problems in Masonic Bibliography
Samuel Biagetti, Freemasonry - The Missing Link Between Jacobitism and the American Revolution?
Zhenya Gershman, Rembrandt's Secret
Jeffrey Kantor, In the Footsteps of Freemasonry in the Holy Land King Solomon, the First Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and Masonic Sites in the Holy Land
Salon Two: French Resources on Fraternalism
Panel Session
Sylvie Bourel, François Rognon, Francis Delon, Françoise Moreillon, Pierre Mollier- Masonic Archives in France (presented in French with translation)
Salon Three: Issues of Gender and Universalism
Chair and Commentator: David Merchant
Aimee E. Newell, American Female Makers of Masonic and Fraternal Regalia
Ineke Huysman, L'Ordre de l'Union de la Joye- A Women's Order in the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age
Joachim Berger, 'Universal freemasonry' and Transnational Masonic Movements (c. 1870–1930)
László Vári, The Curious Case of Helene Hadik-Barkóczy with the Freemasons
1:00 - 2:15 PM Break for Lunch
Screening of the BBC's Inspector Morse, Masonic Mysteries, Season 4, Episode 4 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0611646/)
Moderator: Guillermo Izabal
2:15 - 3:00 PM Plenary Address
John Cooper, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California, Past President of the North American Conference of Grand Masters- Into the Maelstrom: The Issue of Masonic Regularity, Past and Present
Chair: Guillermo De Los Reyes
Commentator: Alain Bauer
3:00 - 3:30 PM TBA
3:30 - 3:45 PM Coffee in the Foyer
3:45- 5:15 PM Salon Breakout Sessions
Salon One: Material Evidence of the Ethereal
Chair and Commentaor: Martin Kanter
The Masonic Collections of the The Bibliothèque Nationale
François Gruson, The Masonic Temple Between Universal Model and Cultural Tropisms
Dominique Sappia and Herve Hoint-Lecoq, Jewels, Ornaments, Lights and Furnitures, a Historical and Statistical Study Through Time and Countries : Appearance of the Movable and Immovable Jewels (1696-1801)
Hilary Anderson Stelling, Commanding Elegance: The Decoration and Furnishing of Masonic Lodges in New England, 1790-1830
Salon Two: Ancient Ideas in the New World
Chair and Commentator: Terry McCammon
J. Scott Kenney, Contemporary Canadian Freemasonry: Social Dynamics and Possible Futures
Adam Kendall, Pilgrimage and Procession: The 1883 Knights Templar Triennial Conclave and the Dream of the American West
Olga Romero Mestas, Freemasonry, Secret Societies and Civil Society in Cuban Independence
Oscar Alleyne, A Contemporary Look at the Various Forms of Freemasonry among African-Americans in the United States
Salon Three: In Far Places
Emanuela Locci, The Impact of European Freemasonry on Turkish Civil Society
Demetrio Xoccato, A Masonic pretender to the Hungarian throne: François Claude Auguste de Crouy-Chanel
László Vári, Ferenc Pulszky's Masonic Periods
Martin Javor, Orpheus, Mährische Magazin and Prager Gelehrte Nachrichten – Masonry Magazines in Central Europe in the 18th Century
End Day One
*7:30 PM The Magic Flute, performed by the Paris Opera- Tickets with English notes available here
Day Two: Saturday- May 30, 2015- Setting Agendas
9:00 AM Coffee in Foyer
9:30 - 10:15 AM Salon Breakout Sessions
Salon One: *Special Presentation 9:30- 11:15 AM* - Audutorium
Jean-Michel Mathonière,Savoirs et emblèmes du savoir chez les compagnons tailleurs de pierre à la fin de l'Ancien Régime / Compagnonnage: Knowledge and Symbols of Knowledge Among Stone Cutters at the End of the Ancien Régime
(Presented with English Translation)
Chair: Margaret Jacobs
Salon Two: Lodge Quatour Coronati- Panel Session
Brent Morris, Gordon Davie, Yasha Beresiner, and John Belton- Masonic Research by Mason and Non-Masons: Can Ever the Twain Meet?
Salon Three: Roots and Branches
Marcus Patka, Austrian Freemasonry and Gunter Kodek
Joi Grieg, The Mystic Tie- Inclusionary and Exclusionary Language Usage in North America
Yasha Beresiner, Medieval Guilds of the City of London and their Later Influence on Freemasonry
Piroska Balogh, The Constitution and Operation of the Draskovics Observance
10:15 - 11: 15 AM Salon Breakout Sessions
Salon One: *Special Presenation 9:30- 11:15 AM* - Auditorium
Jean-Michel Mathonière, Savoirs et emblèmes du savoir chez les compagnons tailleurs de pierre à la fin de l'Ancien Régime / Compagnonnage: Knowledge and Symbols of Knowledge Among Stone Cutters at the End of the Ancien Régime
(Presented with English Translation)
Chair: Margaret Jacobs
Salon Two: Fraternalism Midst Hostility and Challenge
Chair and Commentator: Guillermo Izabal, Royal Arch No. 2
Neil Wynes Morse, Some Masonic Activities in the Australian Military During WWI
David H. Lewis, Freemasonry Under the Nazis
Adam Kendall, Writing History with Lightning: American Nativism, the Ku Klux Klan & the Fraternal Press in the 1920s
Aslak Postad, Anti-masonic trends in Norway 1869 - 2015
Salon Three: Origins of Fraternal Wisdom
Chair and Commentator: Goncalo Amaral
Josef Wäges and Reinhard Markner, The Secret School of Wisdom: The Authentic Rituals and Doctrines of the Illuminati
Philip Carter, That Which Was Lost- The Third Pillar
Karen Kidd, Evolution of Co-Masonic Blue Lodge Ritual
David Merchant, A 19th Century Mexican Masonic Novel as a Vehicle of Liberalism
11:15 AM - 1:00 PM Salon Breakout Sessions
Salon One: TBA
Salon Two: Brothers Abroad
Chair and Commentator: Guillermo De Los Reyes
Naama Klar, Freemasonry and the Roots of Liberal International Trade: The Enlightenment and the Transatlantic Network in the 18th Century
Brian Rountree, Prairie Charity: Masonic Benevolence in late Nineteenth Century Manitoba
Ralf Bernd Herden, The Grand-Duchy of Baden 1780-1820: State, Politics and Masonry
Lori Lee Oates, Edward Bulwer‐Lytton and the Globalization of Fringe Masonic Philosophies in the Nineteenth Century
Salon Three:
Philip Ice, Wallace Boston, Karan Powell, Daniel Gutierrez-Sandoval, Paul Rich, Margaret Jacob and Count Alessandro Cagliostro- Taking the Conference to the World: Our Work and Teaching, Publishing, and Surviving the Internet Revolution: New Realities for Fraternal Studies
1:00 - 2:30 PM Break for Lunch Screening, the 1943 Nazi anti-Masonic movie, Forces Occultes (Hidden Froces), original uncut version, with English subtitles (http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/fiction/cinema.html)
Moderator: Guillermo Izabal
2:30 - 4:00 PM Salon Breakout Sessions
Salon One: Evolution of the Fraternal Metaphors
Chair and Commentator: Rex Kallembach
John Acaster, The Voyage from Corruption to Harmony: Fresh Insights Into the Inspiration of Noah and 'the primitive' Within Freemasonry
Klaus-Jürgen Grün, Development of Humanitarian Freemasonry since Anderson's Constitutions
Giulia Delogu, Reshaping Virtue: the Case of Eighteenth-Century French and Italian Masonic Poetry
Andreas Önnerfors, Unveiling the Copiale-manuscript: layers of fraternalism, ritual and politics in eighteenth century Germany
Salon Two: The Bordeaux Vintage
Panel Session
Roger Dachez, Louis Trébuchet, Jacques Simon, Pierre Mollier, The French Sources of the"Scottish" Degrees
Salon Three: Masonic Biography
Chair and Commentator: Luis-Jose Meja
Simon Mayers, Dudley Wright: His Early 'Truth-Seeking' Years (1906-1916)
Casey D. Stanislaw, Santa Anna, the Mason
Maria Danova, The Master's Mask: Richard Wagner & Freemasonry
4:00 PM Closing Plenary Session
Brent Morris, Emperors, Princes, and the Francken Mysteries: What Paris Has Revealed- Report on the Conference Special Committee on the Francken Documents
End Day Two
6:00 PM Farewell Reception at the Museum of Freemasonry
7:30 PM Les Enfants du Paradis (Ballet l'Opera de national de Paris) exploring illusion and reality in the provocative production by Jose Martinez https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/saison-2014-2015/ballet/les-enfants-du-paradis-jose-martinez?genre=2
8:30 PM Music Festival, the famous music festival in the quarter Saint Germain will be at its height on Saturday evening: http://festivaljazzsaintgermainparis.com/the-festival/
Sunday- May 31, 2015
~~Informal walking tour of local Masonic sites and architecture led by François Gruson (details forthcoming)~~
A Sunday brunch will be hosted by Professors Guillermo de los Reyes and Paul Rich, for discussion and suggestions about the May 2017 World Conference on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History. Contact Whitney Shepard if interested.
A self-guided tour of locations and curiosities from Dan Bown's novel, The Da Vinci Code is easily put together using the site http://www.da-vinci-code-paris.com
The Catacombs extend for more than 150 miles under Paris with much of fraternal and ritualistic interest. For the museum and tours see: http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/homepage-catacombs-official-website
Fortuitously, an antiquarian book and manuscript flea market, Le Marche du Livre Ancien, convenes Sundays at the Parc Georges Brassens, rue Brancion, 15th arr, Porte de Vanves metro, 9-6 pm. The adjacent park include interesting sculpture, a marionette theatre and a beekeeping school.