In recent years significant changes in university curricula, both in Europe and in the U.S., have made it increasingly difficult for students to receive advanced training in philology, paleography and codicology. And yet, these subjects are crucial for the study of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance at the graduate and postgraduate level. Consequently, a number of prestigious universities and institutions have decided to take a first step to fill this serious gap. The first edition of “Translating the Past: A Workshop on Medieval and Renaissance Sources devoted to Art, History, and Literature” was held at The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai last June and was attended by eighteen students coming from the best-known universities and study centers both in Europe and in the US.

Owing to its remarkable success, the same program will be offered again next year at Palazzo Rucellai. Throughout June 2011, students will participate in a one-month summer workshop in Florence devoted to these disciplines and taught by internationally renowned specialists who are noted for their scholarly contributions and long teaching experience. Students attending the workshop will acquire both a methodological and a practical introduction to the subjects, through lectures, seminars and hands-on assignments, and will explore the Florentine collections in the famous local libraries and archives, such as the Archivio di Stato, the Biblioteca Nazionale and the Biblioteca Riccardiana. Classes will be held at the Institute at Palazzo Rucellai, which has been among the first and most active sponsors of this initiative, thanks to the efforts of Director Andreina Bianchini and Professor Stefano U. Baldassarri. For more information see the attached project and/or email Prof. Baldassarri (sbaldassarri@palazzorucellai.org).