dr Kamil Kopania
Invited talk
The Middle Ages is commonly treated as a whipping boy amongst other historical epochs. Backwardness, violence, lack of hygiene, oppressive attitude to sexuality and religious fanatism are the most frequent associations coming to mind when one thinks of this period. The majority of people perceive those who lived in the Middle Ages as unlearned and gloomy barbarians. All these, however, are deeply-rooted stereotypes. The aim of this lecture is to show the bright side of the Middle Ages. Drawing on visual material, mostly works of art, I will argue that this epoch was in fact completely different. The picture of the Middle Ages I would like to demonstrate is that of open-minded people, curious about the world and often critical of church authorities. The great desire to have fun and enjoy sexuality was not absent from medieval reality. Neither were bathing and – generally – hygiene. The Middle Ages lurking from behind the stereotypes turns out fascinating epoch to discover.
See also: https://atb.edu.pl/o-wydziale/pedagodzy/dr-kamil-kopania/