The transformations in representing the spiritual journey in Western literatures (from the Middle Ages to present) (2014 – 2016)
Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovak Republic
The three-year interdisciplinary project examined the forms of the so-called spiritual journey in Western literature. The aim of the project was to explore the ways of literary depiction of this philosophical-anthropological concept, in the middle of which is the interpretation of man as a being in motion (homo viator). This means that he although he realizes himself in specific coordinates of time and space, he also feels the need to understand the secrets of its existence in order for his life to make sense.
The project explored the universal and specific features of the literary spiritual path, in relation to individual authorial poetics as well as contexts (literary-aesthetic, literary-historical, linguistic, philosophical-theological, etc.) of their origin, development or influence.
Through several publications the project captured and evaluated the transformations of the artistic representation of this phenomenon across centuries. The project took into account its timelessness and the degree to which resonates today. The chosen interpretative approaches and methods were based on the knowledge of medieval Christian philosophy, which understood spiritual life as a journey through different phases (initiation, maturity, mystical unification). The connection of Western literature was perceived both geographically and culturally. For this reason, European (including Slovak) and American literature were included. The Latin American literature gets a special borderline status.
The project was supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences under number 1/0756/14.
Project evaluation: Successful completion of the project and excellent results.