About the conference
Slavonic Entomology is the fourth cycle of the International Conferences “Humanities in
Nature – Nature in Humanities” which aim is to look at the animate and the inanimate nature
in interdisciplinary, humanistic, diachronic and synchronic ways. The subject of the cycle
allows to present natural aspects of philological, cultural, folkloristic, historical and
anthropological considerations. In the cycle of meetings we enter as humanists into the
research area explored traditionally by natural scientists, that is why we also invite biologists,
geographers, geologists or physicists, who want to highlight a humanistic element of their
scientific research, to cooperate.
Insects represent the largest and most diverse group within the animal kingdom. As numerous
small creatures, difficult to be seen, heard, smelled, are often perceived by a man as
unimportant, useless, unattractive, causing damages or intrusive and disturbing everyday life
beings. Certain species of these animals pollinate flowers, make nutritious honey, being an
important element of human diet, and produce fibres used in the textile industry. Centuries
ago people noticed usefulness of these creatures, but a common existence was often linked to
a certain amount of captivity of insects.
As small creatures insects are not completely vulnerable towards a human being. Their
strength lies in their multiplicity, and in species traits given by nature. Although people need
insects, they fight against these creatures, because they are afraid of them. People usually do
not recognize insects’ role in creating the global ecosystem. The fears of damages in crops or
being bitten make a human being fight against insects, a fact which causes extinction of
species, both harmful (for a man) and useful ones. Insects also can kill a human being, and
the fear of facing them makes people immortalize them in artistic works. It is important to
remember that in art or literature artists and writers present beauty and usefulness of insects –
bees, butterflies, beetles glittering with colours and charming with good organization of their
groups.
The proposed title of the meeting, i.e. Slavonic Entomology, refers to research of biologists –
representatives of the scientific branch – entomology. Due to the proposed subject, humanists
can contribute to enriching the image of insects by linguistic, literary and cultural research on
these creatures from the perspective of Slavonic Studies.
- In the framework of the conference Slavonic Entomology we propose the following thematic
areas:
Insects in Slavonic phraseology
Insects in onomastics of Slavonic languages
Insects in Slavonic folklore
Insects as a literary motif in Slavonic literatures
Motif of an insect in fantasy literature
The Slavs and insects – common existence and fear of invasion
Positive role of insects
Pests, parasites, killers – negative perception of insects
Insects as social creatures
Insects in Slavonic cultures
