Queen Christina and Her Legacy in the Nordic Countries

In celebration of Queen Christina's 400th anniversary, this symposium focuses on Christina of Sweden’s impact on the politics and philosophy of the Nordic Enlightenment

Painting of Queen Christina by David Beck (1621-1656) / SMK Open

Educated as a female ruler, Christina of Sweden is often regarded as the first influential female Nordic intellectual. Her interest in the arts, philosophy, and religion made Scandinavia a centre of artistic and scientific development. Furthermore, she intertwined politics and aesthetics in her rule, strategically re-distributed power, and mastered the art of self-representation in her writings. Throughout her more than twenty years on the throne, she surrounded herself with the most prominent artists, philosophers, and theologians of her time. Yet, the full extent of her legacy remains to be explored.

The workshop is open to all, but please sign up by writing to inspire@hum.ku.dk. 

Speakers

  • Sabrina Ebbersmeyer (Prof. University of Copenhagen)
  • Stefano Fogelberg Rota (Prof. Södertörn University)
  • Carin Franzén ( Prof. Stockholm University)
  • Ylva Haidenthaller (Postdoctoral Researcher Lund University)
  • Gianni Paganini (Prof.em. University of Eastern Piedmont)
  • Anaïs Waag (Postdoctoral Researcher, Copenhagen University)

 

1 October

13:15-13:30 Arrival (and coffee)
13:30-13:45 Words of Greeting
13:45-14:30 ‘Queen Christina and Radical Enlightenment’, Carin Franzén, Stockholm University.
14:30-15:15

‘The Ideal Ruler?: the Theory and Practice of Queen Christina of Sweden’s Rulership’, Anaïs Waag, University of Copenhagen.
15:15-15:45 Coffee break
15:45-16:30

‘The New Minerva: Power, Gender, and Autonomy’, Gianni Paganini, University of Eastern Piedmont.
16:30-17:15

‘Another Aspasia? On the Reception of Christina of Sweden as a Female Intellectual and Her Impact on Women Philosophers of the Early Modern Period’, Sabrina Ebbersmeyer, University of Copenhagen.

2 October

9:00-9:45 ‘Queen Christina in Arcadia: From Societies to Academies’, Stefano Fogelberg Rota, Södertörn University.
9:45-10:30

‘Christina as Minerva: Medals, Portraits, and the Making of a Queen’, Ylva Haidenthaller, Lund University.
10:30-11:00 Coffee break
11:00-12:00

The making of the album “Queen Christina: Tides of Scandinavian Baroque Vol. 1”, Nikolaj de Fine Licht and Christian Tobiassen, as well as a short musical piece performed by Fredrik Bock (lute), Concerto Copenhagen.
12:00 Lunch