Call for Papers

[jarkko]

Leonard Cohen 2026
Global Perspectives on a
Multi-disciplinary Artist
Ghent University, Belgium
October 6-8, 2026

Dear colleagues,

Attached you will find the call for papers for the upcoming international conference Leonard Cohen: Global Perspectives on a Multi-disciplinary Artist.

We warmly invite you to submit a proposal by April 30. Marking ten years since Leonard Cohen’s passing, the conference aims to foster an interdisciplinary scholarly dialogue on his life, work, and legacy. Keynote speakers are Robert Lecker and Sherry Simon.

The English-language programme will be complemented by a cultural evening with live music by acclaimed artists Lara Chedraoui (Intergalactic Lovers) and Floris De Decker, as well as interviews and personal testimonies by author Christophe Lebold and other internationally renowned Leonard Cohen specialists. Additional highlights include a screening of the very first documentary on Leonard Cohen, alongside a range of complementary activities.


With thanks,
Francis Mus


Assistant Professor of French and Translation Studies
Ghent University | https://research.flw.ugent.be/nl/francis.mus

[francis]

Dear all,

Many thanks to Jarkko for sharing this announcement. Further details about the call for papers can be found below, and also on the conference website: cohen2026.ugent.be.

As you’ll see, the event combines an academic conference with a broader cultural programme. I will post the full programmes here as soon as more information on both strands becomes available. The deadline for submitting academic papers is April 30, 2026. Details and ticketing information for the cultural events are expected in May–June, and I will update this thread accordingly.

In the meantime, I very much look forward to seeing many of you in Ghent this fall!

Best wishes,
Francis

[Paul Zagreb]

Dear friends,

As a long-time member of the forum, fervent Cohenista, and a (retired) sociologist, I am thinking of submitting an abstract for this conference. One of my research interests has always been Online Communities and their capacity for co-operation, conflict resolution, and self-regulation. It seems to me that the Forum itself is a worthy topic for academic discussion in terms of what factors have meant that - on the whole - it has been a peaceful, collaborative, solidaristic, community not marred by "flame wars". I think that the connections people have made through online and offline life has, certainly, contributed to this as has Jarkko's wonderful stewardship and, indeed, Leonard's own interest in the Forum. I wonder if there are members of the Forum who might be interested in taking part in a zoom focus group (for not more than one hour) on what the Forum has meant to them and how it has maintained such a positive profile for so long. Quotes from this online meeting (anaoymously of course) would then inform my potential presentation at the conference. Feel free to reply here or send me an email to pstubbs@eizg.hr Best wishes, Paul

[Janetld]

Hello Paul, what a good idea. I am more than happy to take part in a zoom meeting to discuss what the forum has meant to me. I’m a regular reader and although I don’t post much my experience has been very positive. Having joined at a time my life needed a new direction I often wonder where I would now be if I hadn’t stumbled across this group. Over the years I have made so many new friends and made my first trips to many places, such as Hydra and Montreal.

Thank you, Janet

[199Dan]

I would enjoy this, too.