CfP: Symbols and Identities in Canada
A Conference Organized by
EÖTVÖS LORÁND UNIVERSITY
KÁROLI GÁSPÁR UNIVERSITY OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN HUNGARY and
PÁZMÁNY PÉTER CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Budapest, Hungary
November 27-28, 2025
CALL FOR PAPERS
Eötvös Loránd University, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary and Pázmány Péter Catholic University are pleased to announce a conference on “Symbols and Identities in Canada” to be held in Budapest, Hungary, on November 27-28, 2025.
As 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the iconic Canadian red maple flag and the 50th anniversary of the beaver’s designation as an official symbol of Canadian sovereignty, this conference invites scholars to explore the multifaceted roles that symbols from all areas of life play in shaping Canadian identity. At the same time, it also seeks to examine how various aspects of Canadian identity are reflected in these symbols.
The Conference Organizing Committee welcomes papers in English or French on the following themes in the context of Canada:
- national symbols
- regional/ local symbols
- generational symbols
- multicultural/ transcultural symbols
- symbols and identities related to
- immigration/migration
- the crossing of physical, ethnocultural and emotional borders
- literature and the fine arts
- education
- digitalization
- the media
- sports
- Indigenous peoples
- the Arctic
- trade agreements
- environmental stewardship
- energy issues
- health care
- internal/ external affairs
- identities and stereotypes
- citizenship and identity
- Canadian values
The intended program will feature two keynote lectures, multiple thematic sessions and a teacher training event.
Presentations should be 20 minutes long. Undergraduate and graduate students will have their separate sessions with the opportunity to deliver 10-minute papers. Following the presentations, each panel will feature a Q&A session.
Abstracts of papers (maximum 250 words) and a one-paragraph CV (maximum 100 words) for those planning to deliver papers should be submitted by e-mail to the organizers at deak.timea@kre.hu and karoli.canada@gmail.com by May 31, 2025. Participants will be notified of the acceptance of their paper proposals by June 15, 2025.
Conference participation is free but delivering a paper is subject to the approval of one’s abstract. A selection of essays will be published in a volume devoted to the theme of the conference.
Conference Organizing Committee:
Dr. habil. János Kenyeres (Eötvös Loránd University)
Dr. Judit Nagy (Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary)
Dr. Mária Palla (Pázmány Péter Catholic University)