Activities
ICBS Receptions and Perspectives
Please note that registration for many of the side events is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For further details, please see here.
Opening Reception at Vienna City Hall
Festive reception in the historic Festsaal of Vienna City Hall
The ICBS Opening Reception brings participants together in the historic Festsaal of Vienna City Hall for an evening of networking and exchange. The event offers an opportunity to initiate collaborations and joint projects while enjoying food and drinks in a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
Registration is required.
Monday, 24 August 2026, 7:00 – 11:00 pm
Entrance: Lichtenfelsgasse 2, 1010 Vienna
The event is wheelchair-accessible.
Registration fee: 0 €
Maximum participants: 800
Registration closes on 31 July 2026, 23:59 CEST.
Building Byzantium’s Future in the Humanities
Panel Discussion
In the study of the humanities, Byzantium is occupying an ever increasing role. The ICBS 2026 demonstrates the vibrant interactions between Byzantine Studies and other fields of inquiry.
Given the rapidly changing world of the 21st century, this panel seeks to sketch out how Byzantine studies can thrive in decades to come.
Scholarship in all fields is experiencing major transformations. Artificial intelligence has rapidly increased the availability of knowledge about past societies, while amplifying current power dynamics. Polarizing political and religious movements build exclusionary identities with recourse to the medieval past, while armed conflict destroys cultural heritage. Addressing current political, social and economic challenges absorbs the resources of many governments, while funding for the Humanities is in decline and their educational value is constantly questioned.
This panel brings together different voices to share their views and experiences in making Byzantium relevant within societal, cultural, and academic contexts.
Moderator: Gottfried Derka, Der Pragmaticus
Discussants: Thomas B.F. Cummins, Director, Dumbarton Oaks (Harvard University); Anna Dolganov, Austrian Archaeological Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences; Christoph Gattringer, President, Austrian Science Fund (FWF); Elisabeth O’Connell, Byzantine World Curator, British Museum; Johannes Preiser-Kapeller, Institute for Medieval Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences; Rudolf Scholten, Special Counsellor to the Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Art and Culture of the Republic of Austria, former Minister of Culture; Zhou Zhihouan, Department of History, Fudan University
Registration is required.
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 5.30 – 7.00 pm
Venue: University of Vienna
The event is wheelchair-accessible.
Registration fee: 0 €
Maximum participants: 750
Registration closes on 31 July 2026, 23:59 CEST.
Closing Reception in the Arcaded Courtyard of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW)
Final Gathering in the Historic Courtyard of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Join us for the closing reception marking the end of ICBS 2026. The evening offers a final opportunity to reflect on the past days, continue conversations, and strengthen new and existing connections in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Food and drinks will be provided.
Registration is required.
Saturday, 29 August 2026, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Entrance: Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna
The event is wheelchair-accessible.
Registration fee: 0 €
Maximum participants: 400
Registration closes on 31 July 2026, 23:59 CEST.
Cancellation conditions
A refund of the registration fee is not possible at any time after registration has been completed.