Centre for Studies on the Classical Tradition (OBTA) created by Professor Jerzy Axer in 1991, directed between 2008 and 2012 by Professor Jan Kieniewicz, is a permanent component of the Faculty of “Artes Liberales” at the University of Warsaw. From among OBTA community members were formed scholarly teams conducting ground-breaking research, as for instance the Laboratory for Source Editing & Digital Humanities and the Philhellenic Laboratory.
Currently, OBTA implements the first in Poland ERC Consolidator Grant in the humanities. We collaborate with representatives of various disciplines from across the world: from North America, through Europe, Africa, Asia, to Australia and New Zealand, combining scholarly reflection with educational and popularizing activities.
In OBTA, we study ancient motifs in literary and artistic masterpieces but also look for traces of Antiquity in popular culture: in fantasy literature, movies, television series, songs, computer games, the most recent Internet phenomena... We consider Antiquity an important cultural experience. The way it is received reflects transformations occurring in the world throughout centuries – also in our times.
Looking into the reception mirror, comparing various images and reflections that appear therein, we can better understand ourselves and the mechanism of these transformations. We pay particular attention to the reception of Classical Antiquity by children and youth. It is a fascinating process during which young people shape their identity and define their own attitude towards the legacy passed on to them by adults.
Studies of the reception of the ancient culture require curiosity, humility but also a bit of rebellious spirit, as well as courage, because we can never predict what we will see looking into the ancient mirror. It could the Gorgon Medusa whose reflection would freeze the blood in our veins, or the beautiful face of Narcissus that we would never want to abandon. Or, it may happen that we would be looking in the Mirror of Erised into which stared a young hero from our times as well and which shows to each one of us our particular most cherished desire.
OBTA allows us space to study and analyze these experiences in a friendly environment. That is the reason why we consider her to be of the feminine gender, in the same line of concepts, as Alma Mater.
Studies of reception – whether based on the masterpieces of our civilization, or on popular culture – teach us that draco dormiens nunquam titillandus but at the same time inspire us to try.
News
News are available at Obtima
Site under construction
