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Scholars come to Northfield, Minn., to discuss Kierkegaard

30
May 24, 2001

NORTHFIELD, Minn. ? Nineteenth-century philosopher Søren Kierkegaard is to Denmark what Shakespeare is to England.

Kierkegaard, who lived from 1813-1855 in Copenhagen, Denmark, is one of the most important voices in philosophy and theology of the last 500 years. Scholars all over the world pore over Kierkegaard?s prolific writings.

And, strangely enough, they often come to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., for their perusals. St. Olaf is home to the Howard V. and Edna H. Hong Kierkegaard Library, Study and Publication Center. The library contains approximately 11,000 volumes and is widely regarded as the best collection of Kierkegaard-related books under one roof in the world. The collection, which is the core of the library, was developed and donated to the college by St. Olaf professor emeritus Howard and Edna Hong, the National Book Award-winning translators of Kierkegaard?s works.

Next month, from June 9-13, the library will host its fourth International Kierkegaard Conference, examining Kierkegaard and communication and Kierkegaard and hermeneutics. Approximately 100 scholars from 19 countries are expected to participate. The conference will feature 48 20-minute presentations, followed by comments and discussion, as well as a panel in which 12 doctoral students will summarize their dissertation research.

In addition, Joel Smith, associate professor of philosophy at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will lead a workshop on Kierkegaard and Buddhism. Niels Jørgen Cappelørn, director of the Søren Kierkegaard Research Centre at Copenhagen University, will offer a session on the new Danish edition of Kierkegaard?s writings, now being published by the center. Alvaro Valls, professor of philosophy at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil, will supervise a seminar for Spanish Kierkegaard scholars and translators.

St. Olaf Provost and Dean of the College James Pence, as well as professors Gordon Marino (curator of the library), Howard Hong and Vanessa Rumble (president-elect of the Søren Kierkegaard Society), and others will offer remarks at the opening banquet Saturday, June 9. Afterwards, renowned Kierkegaard scholar and translator Alastair Hannay of the University of Oslo, Norway, will offer the plenary address, "Something on Hermeneutics and Communication in Kierkegaard After All." Those who wish to attend the June 9 dinner ? at 6 p.m. in the Kings Room of Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College ? or the remainder of the conference should contact Cynthia Lund at the Hong Kierkegaard Library (507-646-3846).

The library hosts about 30 visiting scholars per year. Scholars are in residence for periods ranging from two weeks to six months. In addition, the library has a very active group of friends who get together semi-annually for meetings and discussion of Kierkegaard texts. Anyone interested in exploring membership in this group should contact Marino at the Hong Kierkegaard Library, St. Olaf College.

The full schedule of the conference is available here.

St. Olaf College prepares students to become responsible citizens of the world, fostering development of mind, body and spirit. A four-year, coeducational liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), St. Olaf has a student enrollment of 2,950 and a full-time faculty complement of approximately 300. It is one of Money Guide?s top 100 "elite values in college education today," and it leads the nation?s colleges in percentage of students who study abroad.

Contact Michael Cooper at 507-786-3315 or cooperm@stolaf.edu.