Allard Pierson Museum to Host Symposium on Urban Food History Amidst Amsterdam's 750th Anniversary
The Allard Pierson Museum, known for its diverse collections spanning archaeology, ancient worlds, and cultural history, is preparing for a significant academic event in 2025. The museum will host the Amsterdam Symposium on the History of Food, a special edition coinciding with the city's 750th anniversary. This scholarly gathering will explore the profound relationship between cities and food, complementing an upcoming exhibition at the museum.
Exploring Amsterdam's Food Culture: A Major Exhibition in 2025
Visitors to the Allard Pierson Museum can look forward to a dedicated exhibition focusing on the history of food culture in Amsterdam. This exhibition is scheduled to run from April 11 to September 7, 2025. It will offer a unique opportunity to delve into how food has shaped and been shaped by urban life in the Dutch capital over centuries.
The symposium, organized in conjunction with this exhibition, will further illuminate the intricate role cities have played in food systems, technological advancements, and the evolution of culinary traditions. Scholars from various disciplines have long recognized the central importance of urban environments in food history, from trade networks and imperial influences to migration patterns and the development of unique "culinary infrastructures."
Call for Contributions: Participate in the Food History Symposium
The Allard Pierson Museum invites academics and professionals to submit papers for the Amsterdam Symposium on the History of Food. The event aims to highlight the transformative impact of cities on food history and the critical role of urban foodways in shaping environments. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- The relationship between cities and their surrounding "hinterlands," including rural and colonial connections.
- Dynamics of eating at home versus dining out.
- Urban food policy and regulatory frameworks.
- The impact of migration on food cultures.
- Issues of hygiene, health, and urban living in relation to food.
- Discussions on urban food inequality, food apartheid, and food deserts.
- Food activism and sovereignty within urban contexts.
- Developments in urban agriculture.
- Concepts of circular economies and sustainability in food systems.
The symposium program will feature a keynote lecture, paper presentations, and panel discussions. Participants have the option to join in person in Amsterdam or attend online. Those interested in presenting a paper should submit an abstract of no more than 250 words by January 15, 2025. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] and must include the proposed paper's title, abstract, short CV, and contact information. Presenters of accepted papers will be asked to deliver a 20-minute presentation followed by a discussion. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by February 15, 2025.
The Allard Pierson Museum continues to serve as a hub for cultural and historical exploration, inviting both visitors and scholars to engage with compelling narratives. To discover more about cultural institutions like the Allard Pierson Museum, you can explore other museums or use the Musemap platform (musemap.art) to search for specific cultural spots and events.
