The Fourth International Napoleonic Congress, held in Dinard, France, 9-16 July 2005, brought together scholars from seven countries to present and hear academic papers and to exchange ideas in meetings and social opportunities. Hosted by the city of Dinard, the Congress also included reenactments, a parade, social functions, a Napoleonic auction and a great fireworks presentation. The INS thanks mayor Marius Mallet and his staff for their excellent cooperation in this event.
On Saturday, 9 July, INS Executive Vice-President David Markham and his wife, Barbara, met Mayor Mallet, Prince Joachim Murat, and his daughter, Princess Caroline. Together they observed the reenactment of the Battle of Austerlitz.
Sunday, 10 July, was the day of the Great Parade, and many of the scholars joined together to view the event.
The Congress officially opened on Monday the 11th in Dinard’s Palais des Arts et du Festival.
Mayor Mallet officially opened the Congress, and Markham presented him with the Eagle of the INS. Prince Murat, representing the Imperial Family, spoke of the importance of such meetings to increase knowledge of Napoleonic history and congratulated Vice-President Markham for his role in organizing the event. General Michel Franceschi, himself a Congress participant, welcomed the Congress on behalf of the French scholars, and David Markham welcomed all participants on behalf of the INS and President Ben Weider. He highlighted the important contribution made by President Weider in sponsoring these Congresses.
The first day highlighted doctoral students from the Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution. Michael Bonura, Tim Fitzpatrick, Eman Vovosi and Jack Sigler all gave excellent presentations (the list of presentations is at the end of this Report). They were joined by French scholar (and medical doctor) Jean Marchioni, who did an outstanding job telling the story of Dr Larrey at Austerlitz. Dmitry Shlapentokh spoke on a little-discussed aspect of the period and was the first of several speakers to focus on the Polish role in Napoleonic history.
After a full day of lectures, the Congress participants were ready to relax. The INS hosted a reception on the terrace of the beautiful Grande Hôtel Barrière overlooking the sea.
On Tuesday morning the Congress got back to work with excellent papers by Bob Epstein, Mordechai Gichon, David Stefancic, Dominique Contant, Tadeusz Klupeznski, Betje Klier and Susan Conner. In one session, the US, Israel, France and Poland were represented! Throughout the week, after each paper or session there was often a great deal of discussion.
Wednesday was another full day. Scholars Joan Blyth, John Clubbe and William Chew III discussed literature, while Russian art-historian Valery Chebotov presented a paper on Napoleonic art. After lunch in Dinard, the afternoon session concluded with presentations by General Franceschi and Jean-François Marchi. Their papers led to a heated (but friendly) discussion, followed by David Markham’s discussion of the Bulletins which closed out the day’s program.
One of the highlights of the Congress was the Gala Diner hosted Wednesday evening by the city of Dinard at the beautiful Printana Hotel overlooking the bay.
Thursday’s schedule was abbreviated to give participating scholars a chance to explore Dinard. But first, they were treated to two outstanding papers. Matthew Zarzeczny gave his ideas of the United States of Europe, and Allon Klebanof gave a tour de force multimedia presentation on Goya, Beethoven and Napoleon.
Friday brought the event to a close, but not until we heard three more excellent papers by John Gallaher and Jean Defranceschi, and by Tom Morgan, who also gave an outstanding multi-media presentation to end the Congress.
In recognition of their scholarly contribution to the field of Napoleonic studies, Vice-President Markham awarded Eagles of the INS to David Stefancic, Dominique Contant, Tadeusz Klupczynski and Joan Blythe. In addition, Tom Morgan will be awarded an Eagle at a special ceremony in September.
The Congress was by all accounts a most worthwhile experience. Plans are already underway for future congresses, with France, Poland and Russia high on the list of possibilities.
Organizing a congress such as this is never easy. Executive Vice-President David Markham, who organizes the congresses for the INS, wants to express special thanks to Mayor Mallet for his kind participation and to Françoise Pichot, the head of Mayor Mallet’s cabinet, for her great assistance in making the arrangements over the past year. Thanks also to the Grand Hôtel for all its help and gracious hospitality. Thanks to all of the participants for their help and patience. And very special thanks to Barbara Markham who, among many other things, organized the reception and the lunch.
The INS is exploring several possibilities for the publication of the papers, and an announcement will be made at the appropriate time.
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This Congress is dedicated to the memory of David Chandler and Fernand Beaucour, two extraordinary Napoleonic scholars and friends.
Saturday 9 July Sunday 10 July Monday 11 July 1000 Michael Bonura (USA) 1030 Tim Fitzpatrick (USA) 1100 Break 1115 Jean Marchioni (France) 1145 Eman Vovosi (USA) 1215 Discussion 1245 – 1400 Lunch in Dinard 1400 Dmitry Shlapentokh (USA) 1430 Jackson Sigler (USA) 1515 Discussion 1800 Imperial Wine Reception Tuesday 12 July 0900 Robert Epstein (USA) 0930 Mordechai Gichon (Israel) 1000 Break 1015 David Stefancic (USA) 1045 Betje Klier (USA) 1115 Discussion 1145 – 1430 Imperial Lunch 1430 Dominique Contant (France) 1500 Tadeusz M. Klupczynski (Poland) 1530 Break 1545 Susan Conner (USA) 1615 Discussion Wednesday 13 July 0900 Joan Blyth (USA) 0930 John Clubbe (USA) 1000 William Chew III (Belgium) 1030 Break 1045 Valery Chebotov (Russia) 1115 Discussion 1215 – 1330 Lunch in Dinard 1330 General Michel Franceschi (France) 1400 Jean-François Marchi (France) 1430 Break 1445 J. David Markham (USA) 1515 Discussion Thursday 14 July Vive la Révolution 0900 Matthew Zarzeczny (USA) 0930 Allon Klebanof (Israel) 1000 Discussion Friday 15 July 0900 John G. Gallaher (USA) 0930 Jean Defranceschi (France) 1000 Thomas Morgan (USA) 1030 Discussion and Concluding Remarks. Saturday 16 July 2245 Gloire de L’Empire Spectacle Pyrotechnique et Musical |
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