Morgenstern Society was founded in 1999 Tartu, Estonia, with the aim of promoting the study of classical philology and related disciplines – ancient history and philosophy, classical archaeology, Medieval and Neo-Latin philology, Byzantine studies and the whole heritage and reception of antiquity in Estonia and beyond, connecting people who are engaged in these areas, and expanding international cooperation. Its activities include organizing of both academic and more popular events events (conferences, lectures, readings), procuring new publications related to classical studies, publishing, managing translation projects, compiling databases, and helping Estonian researchers and students of antiquity in coordinating their teaching and outreach.
The Society has been named after Johan Karl Simon Morgenstern (1770–1852), professor of rhetoric, aesthetics, Greek and Latin language and the antiquities at the University of Tartu. He was the student of Friedrich August Wolf in Halle, Germany, where the study of classical antiquity (klassische Altertumswissenschaft) was first introduced as a separate subject in modern university curricula. Morgenstern was the founder of classical studies in Tartu: he came to Tartu in 1802 and stayed until the end of his life. One of the aims of Morgenstern Society is also to study and popularize the academic heritage of Karl Morgenstern.
The Board of Morgenstern Society as of 1 October 2021:
- Kaidi Kriisa, kaidi.kriisa@ut.ee
- Anni Polding, anni.polding@ut.ee
- Janika Päll, janika.pall@ut.ee
- Elo-Mall Toomet, elo-mall.toomet@ut.ee
- Ivo Volt (Chairman of the Board), ivo.volt@ut.ee
For more information you’re welcome to contact any of the board members.
Morgenstern Society is a member of FIEC (International Federation of Associations of Classical Studies / Fédération internationale des associations d’études classiques) and of Euroclassica.