Conference Day 1

This morning the conference began. The subject is "Myths Revisited" which has been interpreted by the conference members very widely. The first thing I noticed when I entered the building for the conference was how utterly gorgeous it is. It looks like the whole thing is made of marble, and there is an incredible skylight over the stairs. The rooms where our sessions take place are floor to ceiling covered in incredible plasters and wood work. The desks and podiums are carved wood and very ornate. It is all very sumptuous and impressive! There is also an incomparable view from the windows of these rooms - the most romantic view of the Blue Mosque. I took a lot of pictures today, but I know they will not accurately reflect how gorgeous it was. It also helped that the sun came out today. Up to recently, I was hesitant to take my camera out and snap away because it automatically labels you a tourist and you are then accosted by men trying to sell you carpets. Now, however, I don't even care. The light was perfect today even for my bad camera.

There was a keynote speaker to start who gave an interesting overview of the status and history of the study of myth. She is apparently a very well-known scholar and writer, but I was ashamed to admit that I did not know her. It is possible that I read something by her, but I do not remember: Marina Warner. In any case, her speech was very interesting even if her British accent made it difficult to follow her every thought.

Then came the moment for my presentation. There are simultaneous sessions, so people have to choose. My experience is that my audience tends to be small because a lot of people do not even know who Rushdie is or why he is important. Today, however, there was a sizable crowd. I thought my presentation went well, and having learned from my earlier conferences, I did not over quote the book or focus on a "perfect" paper. It is so much different the way I write now when I am presenting versus when I am submitting written work for review. Especially, again, since my subject is Rushdie, I find that I have to make certain things perfectly clear about what he does and what he writes about so that people can follow my gist. There was a second presentation after mine which also focused on Rushdie - specifically on The Ground Beneath Her Feet (a good book especially if you like rock music history). I thought my paper was well-received, but it was this second paper that sparked the most questions, and even a mini-debate about Rushdie's view of postmodernism (hardly a simplistic view) as well as the "history" of rock that Rushdie presents. I thought her paper was very interesting, but I could tell that she cut out a lot to make it conference length and I would have liked to read it in its entirety. I had one question specific to my paper which was about Rushdie's views of postmodernism based on my readings of his children's books, and I got to talk with the questioner afterward a bit. It turns out that the woman who chaired my session is presenting on Video Game Culture, and was therefore very interested in Rushdie's use of the video game structure for Luka. I am looking forward to her presentation.

There was one more session and then a lunch break which I spent at an outdoor cafe watching Istanbul life and soaking up the sun. Then we had one afternoon session which focused, believe it or not, on the history of the harp in mythology - a combo panel with a harper (ist?) and a scholar studying them. Very interesting. I almost left after the last session because up to that point I had not really made a lot of friends. This conference differs much from my other experiences where either I already know everyone or no one knows anyone. This one has a huge Turkish contingent who, sadly, keep to themselves a lot. Luckily, at the last minute I overheard two girls and a guy talking in English. After we introduced ourselves and got some wine, we set about talking. Lucky me, one of the girls is presenting on the only other south-asian presentation besides the two in my session.

Afterward, we all four decided to walk through the grand bazaar which was not what I was expecting. I admit I was picturing the chaos that I found in Morocco, but this was much more organized, and very pretty. I wish I had taken some pictures, but I was caught up in talking and looking at everything to buy. We made some tentative plans to have dinner and drinks tomorrow night after the conference ends. One final observation I want to make is that this conference is paced much slower than all the other ones I have been to - fewer panels and participants in each panel. It is much more relaxed.

Well I am off to read a little and relax my sore feet! I will try and check back after tomorrow.