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Invitation to the Third Annual Conference of the Gesellschaft für Fantastikforschung (GFF), at the University of Zurich from 13th to 16th September 2012

The third conference of the Gesellschaft für Fantastikforschung will take place at Zurich University, from 13th to 16th September 2012.

The fantastic raises a significant number of questions about cultural and social developments and challenges existing boundaries. With regard to transitions and the crossing of boundaries, the focus of this conference will lie on objects, norms, knowledge, ascribed meanings and potential spectrums of interpretation associated with the fantastic. The aim is to explore representations of worlds and subjects, reality and fiction, in order to contribute to a further assessment of the cultural relevance of the fantastic – in its contemporary, historical, social and medial dimensions.

Speakers from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Rumania, Russia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Turkey and the USA will present and discuss their papers in more than thirty sections, either in English (E) or German (G).

Keynotes will be presented by Renate Lachmann (G), Hans Richard Brittnacher (G), John Clute (E), Dieter Petzold (E), Alexander Knorr (G) and Marleen S. Barr (E). The wellknown authors Jan Koneffke (G) and Lev Grossman (E) and the illustrator John Howe (E) will also be present to speak about their work and be available for discussion.

The conference will take place in the main building of Zurich University, in the town centre, with good connection to public transport. It starts on Thursday, at 01:30 p.m., and ends on Sunday, at 01:00 p.m.

Up to date information is available on our conference homepage: http://www.ipk.uzh.ch/tagungen/gff2012.html, where you also find the programme, some information about accommodation, the registration fee, and the registration form, to be handed in by 31.07.2012. Hotel bookings should be made as early as possible.

We are looking forward to welcome you at Zurich University.