Department of British and US Studies Pavol Jozef afrik University in Koice

and

Slovak Association for the Study of English (SKASE)

ESSE Conference 12
Bid for the organization of ESSE 12 in 2014
Why an ESSE Conference at P. J. afrik University?
On the basis of previous experience with the organization of large scale conferences and the unanimous support of the University authorities, the Slovak Association for the Study of English and afrik University in Koice would be delighted to organize and host ESSE 12 (2014) Conference. afrik University in Koice was established in 1959 as the successor to Universitas Cassoviensis founded in 1657. The current structure of afrik University includes the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Public Administration, and the Faculty of Arts comprised altogether of more than 8000 students and 700 research and teaching staff. The Department of British and US Studies is a new, but rapidly developing, department, generally considered as a core unit of an emerging Faculty of Arts. Department of British and US Studies is generally considered as a core unit of the new Faculty of Arts. It is at present chaired by Dr. Slvka Tomakov. The Department's current staff is an advantageous combination of experienced and young teachers, of experts recognized abroad as well as enthusiastic PhD students. The composition of the staff and the support received from the University establish the necessary preconditions for the Department to become the leading English Department in Slovakia in terms of the quality of research and pedagogical activities. The Department currently offers two study programmes: British and American Studies and English for European Institutions and Economics. British and American Studies, offered as a single/doublemajor programme (combined with other humanities/natural sciences programmes, such as Philosophy, Slovak Language and Literature, German, Applied Ethics, History, Latin Language, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Math, or Computer Science), comprises British and American Area Studies, British and American Literature and English Linguistics. Both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are available in British and American Studies, and recently the Department has been granted the right to award habilitations and professorships. English for European Institutions and Economics is designed to produce top-quality translators and interpreters capable of meeting the demands of EU institutions as well as business companies and organizations. In 2010 the Department applied for the right to offer a new study programme Gender Studies and Culture. For more details and further information please see the following web-sites: P. J. afrik University http://www.upjs.sk SKASE http://www.skase.sk We believe close cooperation between the Department and SKASE itself guarantees an academically and socially rewarding experience as part of ESSE 12. Also, selecting this location will most certainly attract a large number of researchers, teachers and other academics from Central and East European countries, thus providing an important impetus for the academic life of this geographical region.

Conference Dates We can be fairly flexible with regard to the Conference dates because the winter semester at afrik University usually begins in mid-September. Thus we will be able to use all premises and University accommodation without any substantial restrictions. Conference Venue afrik University is located downtown. Importantly, the recently acquired buildings that will house the Faculty of Arts are suitable for conference purposes. They offer lecture halls with 100 to 600 seats, more than 20 seminar rooms for 20-50 participants, large foyers for coffee and tea break refreshments, displays by sponsors and publishers exhibitions and stalls. Should this capacity be viewed as insufficient for the ESSE Conference purposes there are additional lecture halls and seminar rooms available in the nearby buildings of the Faculty of Sciences. All University buildings are located centrally and are within very short walking distance from the city centre where most of the accommodation facilities hotels, pensions, halls of residence are located and where many fine restaurants can be found. All lecture halls and seminars rooms are equipped with audio-visual and computer equipment. In our view Koice represents an excellent location for one of the future ESSE Conferences. It is a city with an eventful and illustrious past. Its earliest documents date back to 1230 and refer to it as Villa Cassa. Its coat of arms is the oldest in Europe, a fact attested to by a letter dated from 1369. The city's historic sights - from various eras - are concentrated in the historic centre, the so-called Urban Heritage Area. The recently reconstructed Main Street, lined by burgher houses and palaces, offers visitors a pleasant stroll and is also the venue for major events in the life of the city. Koice are known for an extraordinary mixture of cultures and dialects that contribute to its beautiful uniqueness. I've never left the town, yet I've lived in seven different states, many Koice inhabitants would say. Indeed, over the years, the city has been a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Slovak Republic of Councils, the first Czechoslovak Republic, the World War II Slovak State, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and has finally, at present, become a modern independent Slovakia. Transport to Koice Koice is located in the eastern part of Slovakia and is accessible by air, railway and road.

By air: The airport in Koice (IATA: KSC) is the second largest international airport in Slovakia and operates 24 hours a day. The airport system and its runways allow the landing of all airliners. With several daily flights to Bratislava, Vienna and Prague it is linked to most European cities and other destinations throughout the world. Flight services of Danube Wings, the low-cost airline company, from Bratislava to Koice, flight services of Lufthansa via Vienna, and Czech Airlines via Prague, potentially will help reduce participants travel costs. The airport is situated 6 km from the city centre which can be reached by a regular bus service from the airport or by taxis (about 5-8). For further information about Koice airport please visit www.airportkosice.sk By train: From Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, and Bratislava there are direct IC and Express trains to Koice. You can find detailed information about current train services at www.zsr.sk in English, German and Slovak. By coach: From many European and Slovak cities and towns there are direct Eurolines and Express coaches to Koice. For information about current coach timetables see www.cp.sk
Both the train station and the coach station are within a 15-minute walking distance from the proposed Conference venue and the city centre and can be also accessed by local transport trams, busses, and taxis.

Accommodation and Catering Options in Koice The city of Koice offers rooms and hotels, pensions and hostels, most of them centrally located, where prices range from a four-star hotel single room at 80-100 per night (also offering comfortable apartments at 100-200), through intermediate accommodation hotel or pension room at 40-80, down to a hostel room at 20-40. The University also provides rooms in student halls of residence with a daily cleaning service for a negotiated price about 20 per night.

Koice has many good restaurants. Lunches and dinners are available at hotels, pensions and restaurants serving variety of local specialities that show the blend of elements of Slovak, Hungarian, and Ukrainian cuisine. In addition, they offer a wide range of continental European meals. One can also choose from Italian, Greek, Chinese and Pakistani restaurants, pizzerias, fast-food and take-away places. Prices for meals vary according to the type of restaurant. A decent lunch / dinner of 3 courses (soup / starter, main dish, dessert) with a glass of wine and coffee ranges from 5 in cheaper places, 10 in more expensive ones to 20 in the top class restaurants. An opening Conference reception and/or a Conference Banquet could be arranged in one of the hotels in the historic center of the city at a very reasonable price. For further details please see the following websites: www.doubletree.sk Doubletree by Hilton www.hotelbristol.sk Bristol Hotel www.hotelslavia.sk Slavia Hotel www.ambassador.sk Ambassador Hotel hotel.teledom.sk Best Western TeleDom Hotel www.penzionslovakia.sk Slovakia Penzion www.colosseo.sk Colosseo Residence www.cassovia.sk/grand Grand Pension www.platz.sk Platz Pension www.cityresidence.sk City Residence Apartment House www.hotelmaraton.sk Maraton Hotel www.penzionhradbova.sk Hradbova Penzion

Alternative Programme for Accompanying Persons and Post-Conference Trips For both participants and accompanying persons, sightseeing tours, walks and one-day visits will be offered during the Conference. A post-Conference programme can also be arranged for those who wish to stay in the city and learn more about natural beauties and regional history of East Slovakia. East Slovakia is characterized by a colourful mosaic of natural beauties, cultural and historical monuments. The High Tatras, with their peaks averaging 2,300 metres above sea level, are the highest in the West-Carpathian mountain range. Each East Slovakian region represents a distinct and unique ethnic area, many of which have still preserved their respective characteristic ecclesiastical, secular and folk architecture features, folklore and dialect. One can admire Spi Castle, the largest in Central Europe, view Classicist manor houses, curias, Medieval wooden churches, and caves, and experience the spectacular canyons, gorges, and waterfalls of a unique natural region called The Slovak Paradise. No less attractive is the Pieniny National Park with the Dunajec river popular with tourists for organized trips on rafts. A guided visit of Koice would include the most attractive spots: 1/ The National Theatre was built in the late 19th century, and became the second largest Slovak theatre at the time, actually so large that it was able to host all the city inhabitants within one week. The building is located at the very heart of the city and was designed by Adolf Lang, often considered one of the most gifted European architects of the 19th century. The theatre is considered to be one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in Europe. 2/ St. Elizabeth Cathedral - the largest cathedral in Slovakia and a most inspiring Gothic church in Central Europe (certainly, with the exception of Prague) is not only a breathtaking landmark, but has also survived three city fires, an earthquake and a flood. Towering above the beautifully reconstructed Main Street, the cathedral complex includes the 14th century Chapel of St. Michael (the second oldest city building) to the south, St. Urban's Tower (with its massive seven-ton bell) to the north and Rakoczys Tomb in its interior. Legend has it that the main architect, not having been paid according to the contract, hid a hollow brick somewhere in the body of the construction to cause the building to collapse during any future reconstruction. 3/ The Singing Fountain is a place of relaxation and refreshment for all generations of people who love to stop by and enjoy the soothing music while watching jets of water dance in the air (during the summer months). The experience is heightened by the bright colours of flowers and, especially at night-time, lights illuminating the fountain. A special feature is a music tree that plays one well-known melody every hour. 4/ Immaculata is a dramatic sculptural memorial commemorating the hard times of plague, famine and war. It was built in the early 18 th century and has been restored several times. The plague statue is an extension to the last of the three parks that make the look of the Main Street very attractive. 5/ East-Slovak Museum. The two buildings of the East-Slovak Museum, one of them a majestic neo-Renaissance structure built in 1899, house four exhibitions, including the world famous Gold collection, one of the largest finds of gold coins in the world. Beneath the square itself there is more to see: extensive excavations have unveiled unique remnants of medieval fortifications and other traces of the citys past. Some of them are displayed in the Archaeological Museum while others remain uncovered in place for tourists to enjoy.

Outside the city visitors can see the following: 1/ Hradov Hill - a hill called Hradov (466 meters high) offers an excellent view of the Koice Basin. Four years of intensive archaeological research revealed the foundations of a fortified 200-meter long structure with one triangular and two round towers, supposedly dating back to the early 14th century. This castle is believed to have stimulated Koice's development in medieval times. The ruins and the view from the observation tower offer a pleasant way of spending a sunny afternoon. 2/ ermel Valley is a popular place for relaxation, featuring the largest woodland park in Koice area. A children's railway is an attraction taking both youngsters and adults up the valley to the leisure area of Alpinka. The place is also popular with rock climbers who can test their skills on an artificial climbing wall. 3/ Botanical Garden in Koice established in 1950 covers 30 hectares. Other places of interest within the region:

Levoa - a historical town with several unique places of interest, including the largest Gothic wooden altar by Master Pavol. B Bardejov and Bardejov Spa a town of great historical importance, with buildings showing wooden architectural heritage of the area in an open air museum. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spi Castle - the ruins of the largest medieval castle in Central Europe have been transformed into a major centre of medieval culture, including crafts, weapons and armour exhibitions, and shows. Krsna Hrka Castle and Betliar Chateau are beautiful and well-preserved sights near Roava, a town with a large park. Slovensk raj (the Slovak Paradise) is a national park with picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, and traditional Slovak cuisine. It is a must for any hiker or connoisseur. The east of Slovakia is known for a number of unique caves, many of them belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage List or Subterranean World Heritage List (Dobin Ice Cave, Ochtin Aragonite Cave, Gombasek Cave, Krasnohorsk Cave, Jasovsk Cave). The Geyser in Herany is one of only four cold-water geysers in the world.
For more possibilities for post-Conference entertainment in Slovakia please visit: http://www.slovaktourism.sk

Conference Budget The estimated main expenses and incomes are based upon the ideal number of 500 participants. We propose that 150 participants could be exempt from paying registration fees so the number of fee paying participants would be 350. Expenses: Lecture halls, seminar rooms and other rooms in the University premises - will be provided by the University free of charge Technical equipment - will be provided by the University free of charge Technical assistants, cleaning service staff (overtime work), student helpers Conference packs (programme brochures, photocopying, printing) Administration and web editing Coffee and tea breaks (5 days) Opening buffet reception with soft drinks and wine ------------------------------------Total estimated expense Incomes: 1/ Registration Fees (100) Taking into account 150 fee waivers and 350 paying participants the Conference Registration Fee is estimated at 100 2/ afrik University providing premises and equipment free of charge 3/ Sale of Publishers stands (including Slovak Ventures) We will also apply for sponsoring of the following institutions: US Steel Koice on the basis of our previous contacts and positive experience - ??? Koice Town Hall Slovak Government Research Fund ------------------------------------Total estimated income - 38,000+ - ??? - ??? - 3,000 35,000 - 38,000 -0 -0 - 5,000 - 3,000 - 10,000 - 5,000 - 5,000

Plenary speakers and poetry reading (travel, accommodation and honorarium) - 10,000