From 3–7 June 2026, Dr. Petra Zeller Dotlačilová (subproject 3) participated in the 6th International Historical Dance Symposium, titled “Transitions: Dance in Times of Change 1400–1900,” held at Burg Rothenfels am Main. This unique conference takes place every four years and brings together theory and practice through lectures, workshops, and performances.

She presented a paper entitled “Dance, Food and Politics: Choreography at/of Banquets and Balls in Early Modern Italy.” In her presentation, she explored the evolving relationship between dance, food, and political power at aristocratic nocturnal events in early modern northern Italy through three case studies spanning three centuries and cities: Ferrara in the 16th century, Turin in the 17th century, and Milan in the 18th century.

The presentation was warmly received by the international community of dance historians, dancers, and reenactors, some of whom viewed it as a direct inspiration for their historically informed practices and experimental reconstructions.

More information is available at https://www.historical-dance-symposium.org/.