Why this theme?
One of the great wonders of the modern age is its public, loud-mouthed opposition to form, and its private, apparently unconscious reverence for it. We've made a form of informality.
Nobody wonders practically whether form is useful or beneficial. Without form, there is nothing but chaos. Thought without form, if it exists at all, is incomprehensible. Music is probably the most beloved and the most formal of all the arts. Harmony, the soul of beauty, is impossible without form.
The Bible reveals a God who saw a world "without form" who proceeded to create forms in time and space, who "being in the form of God" took "the form of a bond servant." He forms us in the womb, and He is being formed in us through the Gospel. The cosmos is a cosmos precisely because it is one great form filled with content.
Consider: Language is formal. The arts are formal. Sports are formal. Love is formal.
To think about anything is to think about form and to think about form is to think about everything.
Registration
Registration is currently full. Please click here to put your name on the wait-list.
Please note: Space is still available for the pre-conference.
The Historic Seelbach Hotel
Address: 500 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
The Seelbach Hilton is equal parts historical landmark and architectural masterpiece. It began as the dream of two Bavarian brothers - Otto and Louis Seelbach - in 1869 when Louis came to Louisville to learn the hotel business.
In 1903, after several years of running restaurants and gentleman's clubs, the brothers began construction of a new hotel at the corner of 4th and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali), creating a lavish, turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts Baroque hotel.
Sparing no expense, they imported marbles from all over the world, bronzes from France, hardwoods from the West Indies and Europe, linens from Ireland, and valuable Turkish and Persian Rugs.
Billed as "the only fireproof hotel in the city," the new Seelbach opened in May of 1905 by offering a 5-hour public inspection and drawing an incredible 25,000 visitors. The hotel was so popular, the Seelbach brothers began a 154-room addition in the fall of that same year. In 1907, the expansion was completed and included the famous Bavarian-style Rathskeller, decorated with rare Rookwood Pottery. Today the Rathskeller remains the only surviving ensemble of its kind. Because of its lavish elegance, The Seelbach attracts celebrities of all kinds. The Hollywood classic, "The Hustler," starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason features scenes shot in the old Seelbach billiard room, as does the 2013 movie “The Great Gatsby.” Today, The Seelbach Hilton continues to be the choice for international celebrities and world politicians visiting the area.
2018 Russell Kirk Paideia Prize Winner
Announcement coming soon!
Schedule
WED., JULY 17th
9:30 am - 4:00 pm: Pre-conference
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Registration and Reception
THURSDAY, JULY 18th
8:30 am - 10:00 am - Keynote 1: Andrew Kern
10:20 am - 11:30 am - Keynote 2: John Mason Hodges
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Breakout Session A
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm - Lunch
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Breakout Session B
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Poetic Knowledge Panel (Speakers TBD)
FRIDAY, JULY 19th
8:30 am - 10:00 am - Keynote 3: Karen Swallow Prior
10:20 am - 11:30 am - Keynote 4: Ken Myers
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Breakout Session C
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm - Lunch
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Breakout Session D
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Breakout Session E
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Paideia Prizie Banquet
SATURDAY, JULY 20th
8:30 am - 9:45 am - Keynote 5: Joshua Gibbs
10:00 am - 11:10 am - Keynote 6: David Hicks
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Panel
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Closing Thoughts by Andrew Kern
FAQs
I’ve already registered for the conference, do I need to register for the banquet also?
No. The banquet registration is included in the standard conference registration.
Will recordings of the sessions be available after the conference?
Absolutely. Nearly all of the sessions will be available to purchase as downloadable mp3s or in CD format a few weeks after the event.
Are meals included in the registration fees?
Lunches Thursday and Friday are included, as is the Friday evening banquet. The Wednesday evening reception includes heavy hors d'oeuvres.
What time does the conference end?
The conference will end at lunch time on Saturday, July 20th, with Andrew Kern’s closing comments.
What is the cancellation policy?
Refund requests received by January 1st, 2019 will be honored in full, minus a $20 cancellation fee per person. Cancellations received between Janaury 1st and April 1st, 2019 will receive a 50-percent refund, minus the cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted after May 1st unless your seat can be replaced by someone on the waiting list, in which case we will refund 50% of the registration. Please note that seats pre-ordered at the 2018 conference do NOT qualify for refunds under any circumstance. Cancellations and refund requests must be made by email: help@circeinstitute.com.
I saw the word “colloquy” on your schedule page. What does it mean?
A “colloquy” is a session that is designed to be discussion-based. Each colloquy is moderated by one of our speakers whose job is to kindle the conversation and maintain the session’s civility. Because of the Socratic nature of these sessions, they are limited to twelve per colloquy. There are two colloquies and 5 workshops per break out period.
How many sessions does the conference have?
There are typically 2 plenaries each day, the Friday night banquet, the Thursday “Great Conversation” panel (formerly the Poetic Knowledge Panel), approximately 35 total workshops, and 14 total colloquies.
What time does the conference begin?
The conference begins at 7:00 pm on Wednesday July 14th with a welcome reception and meet-and-greet. Food is provided. The sessions begin Thursday morning, July 18th, at 8:30 am.
Do you allow the transfer of tickets?
Due to the length of our wait-list we do not allow the transfer of tickes, except under extreme circusmtances. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any questions about this policy please email us at david (at) circeinstitute.com