XIII International Symposium on Byzantine and Medieval Studies “Days of Justinian I”

Skopje, 31 October – 2 November, 2025

Special Thematic Strand for 2025: Networks

Keynote speaker: NIELS GAUL, University of Edinburgh

Organized by the Institute of National History, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and University of Bologna, in partnership with Faculty of Orthodox Theology “St. Clement of Ohrid” in Skopje.

The International scientific symposium “Days of Justinian I” is an annual interdisciplinary scholarly forum aimed at the presentation of the latest research followed by discussions on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval Studies before 1500; this includes the treatment and interpretation of cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in contemporary modern Europe.

The Symposium is dedicated to Emperor Justinian I with the aim to bring together scholars from around the world to address a broad range of issues related to Byzantium and the European Middle Ages, comprising the exploration of the cultural and historical legacy as an integrative component of the diversities and commonalities of Europe and wider.

Special Thematic Strand: Networks

The 2025 symposium focuses on the concept of Networks in Byzantine and medieval studies. Networks played a crucial role in maintaining imperial cohesion, facilitating cultural exchange, and establishing political and religious connections across the Byzantine Commonwealth and beyond.

Topics explored during the symposium include:

• Regional elites and their networks of influence
• Educational institutions and intellectual networks
• Trade and economic networks across the Mediterranean
• Religious and ecclesiastical networks
• Diplomatic and political networks
• Cultural and artistic transmission through networks
• Trans-national and cross-cultural connections
• Social and epistolary networks of Byzantine theologians and scholars

The symposium will organize hybrid sessions with physical presence at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Skopje and online presentations for remote participation via Zoom platform.

Program Highlights

Friday, 31 October 2025

• 09:30-10:00 – Registration of participants
• 10:00-10:45 – Official Opening with welcoming speeches
• 11:30-12:30 – Keynote Lecture by Professor Niels Gaul
• Multiple academic sessions throughout the day
• 18:15 – Cocktail reception offered by H.E. the Italian Ambassador

Saturday, 1 November 2025

• Full-day academic sessions with scholars from around the world
• Topics covering Byzantine networks, ecclesiastical history, art and iconography
• 17:15 – Concluding remarks
• Evening – Wine Evening with Stobi Winery and Cocktail (invitation for participants)

Sunday, 2 November 2025

• 10:00 – Excursion (invitation only)

International Organizing Committee

• MITKO B. PANOV (President)
• GIUSEPPE MAINO
• DONATELLA BIAGI MAINO
• GJOKO GJORGJEVSKI
• DRAGAN GJALEVSKI
• DAMJAN DONEV
• EMEL SHERIF MIFTAR
• ARMEN ZHARNOVSKI
• FILIP MARKOVSKI
• MACIEJ HELBIG

International Scientific Committee

• MITKO B. PANOV, Institute of National History, Skopje (President)
• FLORIN CURTA, University of Florida
• GJOKO GJORGJEVSKI, Faculty of Orthodox Theology “St. Clement of Ohrid”, Skopje
• GIUSEPPE MAINO, University of Bologna
• DONATELLA BIAGI MAINO, University of Bologna
• ELIZABETA DIMITROVA, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje
• HRVOJE GRAČANIN, University of Zagreb
• ANDREW ROACH, Glasgow University
• VLADA STANKOVIĆ, University of Belgrade
• VITOMIR MITEVSKI, Macedonian Academy of Science and Arts
• GEORGI N. NIKOLOV, Sofia University
• LUKASZ ROZYCKI, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan
• VIKTOR LILČIĆ, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje
• CAROLYN S. SNIVELY, Gettysburg College
• GORDANA SILJANOVSKA, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje
• IVANKA VASILEVSKA, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje
• ALEKSANDAR SPASENOVSKI, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje

Symposiarch: Professor Mitko B. Panov

Working languages: Macedonian and English

No participation fee is required. Travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the participants themselves. The excursion on November 2nd will be covered by the organizer.

Papers delivered at the Symposium will be published in the Proceedings of the Symposium. The papers submitted will be peer-reviewed before publication.

Support and Acknowledgments

The International Scientific Symposium is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the R.N. Macedonia.

Special thanks to:

• Museum of the Macedonian Struggle
• Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric
• Embassy of Italy
• Stobi Winery

For further inquiries, please contact the Organizing Committee at: days.justinian@gmail.com

Please check the website https://daysofjustinian.com and https://www.facebook.com/days.justinian for news on the Symposium, the agenda, special events, etc.