Palacky University

Centre for Patristic, Medieval and Renaissance Texts

The Centre was started on the first of July 2000 as a part of a project of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Physical Education "Research Centre". The grant receiver was Palacky University in Olomouc (UP), Masaryk University in Brno (MU) and The Institute for Classical Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (KKS FLÚ AV ČR) with the executrix being The Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty of Palacky University in Olomouc (CMTF UP). The main researcher for the project became doc. Lenka Karfiková, Dr. Theol., along with the co-researchers prof. PhDr. Jana Nechutová, CSc., and Hana Šedinová, PhD.

The Centre is involved in the study of patristic, medieval and renaissance texts with the aim firstly to prepare editions of as yet unpublished Latin manuscripts linked with the Czech lands and secondly to make important works of European Christian culture available to the Czech professional as well as the general public. The Centre was formed as an interdisciplinary team made up of classical and medieval Latin philologists, philosophers, theologians and historians. The member institutions of the centre are Palacky University Olomouc (UP), Masaryk University Brno (MU) and the Institute for Classical Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (KKS FLÚ AV ČR).

Centre Continuity:

1. The Centre is building upon the work begun with the grant project Texts on the history of medieval thought 1-2 (grant project no. 401/97/0374 supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic), which was the work of the Institute for Classical Studies of the ASCR along with The Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty (head researcher doc. Lenka Karfíková, Dr.theol., along with Hana Šedinová, PhD.). The first run of the project was in 1997-1999, the second one no. 401/00/0133 in 2000-2002.
   
   As a part of this project two series of publications were started in co-operation with the Oikúmené Publishing House making available significant works of Medieval thought in bilingual editions accompanied by learned introductions and explanatory notes. The series are called Fontes Latini Bohemorum and The Library of the Medieval Tradition.
2. The Centre is also building upon the activities of the Section for the Study of Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy (established thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Education) under the leadership of Professor Pavel Floss, the Philosophical Faculty UP Olomouc. The Section is systematically involved in the research of Medieval and Renaissance philosophy, supervises the studies of young research workers in this specialisation and presents its research at an international research forum (conference - M. Ficino, R. Kalivoda, G. Bruno, M. Cusanus).
3. The Centre also follows up on the research and teaching activities of Professor Jana Nechutová from the Institute for Classical Studies, Masaryk University Brno, who supervises the postgraduate studies of young research workers with an interest in Latin Medieval studies. The development of this doctoral programme was supported by a grant project from the Open Society Fund foundation which in the year 2000 culminated with the accreditation of Doctoral Studies in Latin Medieval Studies as an independent programme.