Monthly Programs

Map published by Paolo Forlani, 1565

Most months a member will give a presentation, discussing a current work in progress, the research and writing process, or an area of personal interest and expertise. A collegial Q&A ensues, and the speaker can, if they wish, ask for suggestions for improvement in case they will be giving the talk at other venues. These programs are usually held at 2:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month, except for December; exceptions can be made as necessary. A digital projector and screen are available. Another member volunteers to take notes and write a report for the newsletter, or the speaker may provide a synopsis instead.

We try to have a speaker each month, though this is not always possible. Ideally, we schedule the programs as far in advance as possible. Members who are interested in giving a talk or other program (such as a film or exhibit tour) should email president@tihs.org.

Videos of some presentations can be viewed on our YouTube Channel.

Next Monthly Program

Sunday, November 17, 2:00 pm, Monthly Program via Zoom.
Fire Rituals—Theory and Practice
A presentation by Jim Gasperini

In a ritual to protect against disease, horses have been raced through fire in a Spanish village each spring since the 17th century

We have long used fire in rituals: sacred and secular; solemn and silly; from solstice bonfires to the Olympic torch to candles on a birthday cake. We are entering a season of ubiquitous ceremonial flames: the Hannukah menorah, the Advent wreath, the Yule log, the Kwanz’aa Kinara, the Oniyo Ceremony (Japan), Quema del Diablo (Guatemala), Up Helly Aa (Shetland Islands), and many others. What is it about fire that makes it so central to ritual practice? Jim will reference the Von Gennep/Turner framework of three-stage ritual in addressing this question. He will explore how “eternal flames” and “new fire ceremonies,” common throughout the world, sacralize practices that go back to the days when early hominin predecessor species first learned to control fire. Fire rituals predate language and have developed in every culture in myriad ways. Jim Gasperini is the Institute's webmaster and a member of its Board. This presentation draws from his book, Fire in the Imagination—From the Burning Bush to Burning Man. See more about Jim’s background and this work in progress at jimgasperini.com.
You are welcome to invite friends and colleagues to attend.
We need a volunteer to write a short report on the presentation for the newsletter. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the program coordinator (Dan Kohanski).
The presentation will be recorded, and posted on YouTube. If you don’t want to be on the recording, just make sure your video is off. And please remember to mute your microphone!
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