Ávila, España; Julio 2024
BASES: The International Teresian Sanjuanist Center Foundation (CITeS), with CIF R0500363G and address in C Arroyo de las Vacas, 3 05005 Avila, Spain, is an entity whose aims include the promotion of studies on the works of Saint Teresa of Ávila and provide support for the activities of the University of Mysticism in Ávila (Spain).
The CITeS Foundation and the University of Mysticism believe that to promote a better coexistence and solidarity between peoples, religions and cultures, mutual understanding and encounter are needed, particularly from what it implies and means the existential and experiential dimension of religions. We are convinced that the experiential dimension of the life of faith that Teresa conveys is a good point of support for the meeting, rapprochement and mutual understanding between people who live and profess different creeds or religious traditions. This Award aims to encourage and favour the meeting and motivate scholars of all religions to carry out work that helps in this path of mutual rapprochement.
For this reason, and made possible by private sponsorship, a decision was made to convene this 4th International Award in the context of the III WORLD ENCOUNTER ON TERESIAN MYSTICISM AND INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE: Tibetan Buddhism and Teresian Mysticism, which will take place in Ávila (Spain) from July 25th to 28th 2024.
The first Award, which focused on Teresa of Ávila in dialogue with other religious traditions, was held in 2015 within the context of the 5th Centenary of her birth and the framework of the Teresa of Ávila, Heritage of Humanity World Congress. The second call also had a specific theme, which was limited to one of the objectives of the 1st World Encounter on Teresian Mysticism and Interreligious Dialogue: Theravāda Buddhism and Teresian Mysticism. The possible investigations were expanded in the third and now in this fourth edition, as explained below.
WORKS AND THEMES: The award will be given to work in which there is a comparative study or other approach which involves any of the Carmelites mystic (Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Therese of the Child Jesus, Elizabeth of Trinity, Teresa de los Andes, Edith Stein, etc.), from the perspective of interreligious dialogue. Here are some examples:
- A comparative study between any of the Carmelites mystical experience and the mystical experience of a person/s from another religion or tradition, or one which uses the sacred texts of the other religion.
- A comparative study between any of the Carmelites works and the writings of mystical authors of another religion, or their own sacred texts.
- A study on the mystical symbolism in the works of any Carmelite and the symbolism of authors from other religions or the sacred texts of that religion.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WORKS: The works must be presented in the form of an article, essay, or research-based study. The works must have a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40 pages. (Sheet size A4, 1.5 line spacing, font Times New Roman 12). The work presented must be original, that is, it must never have been published in either traditional or digital media.
SUBMISSION OF THE WORKS: The deadline for the submission of the works is April 1st, 2024. Further contributions will not be accepted after that date. Work may be presented in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese or German. The works must be sent in a digital format (Word and PDF), along with a short resumé about the author, which must contain the following information:
- Name and surname
- Pseudonym
- Date and place of birth
- Postal address and e-mail address
- A brief summary in English and Spanich of the submitted work (not more than ten lines)
- Works should be sent to:
To ensure the impartiality of the Jury, papers will be presented under a pseudonym. The Secretariat will record authorship and other personal data which will only be known after the Jury has conferred the Award.
JURY: The Jury will be composed of the following members:
- The President of the CITeS Foundation.
- The promoter of the Award, who is an expert in all aspects of Teresian spirituality and Eastern religions.
- An expert in Carmelite mysticism.
- An expert in religious studies and interreligious dialogue.
- A representative from each tradition or religion represented in the papers presented and others to convene according to the works presented.
TERMS OF THE AWARD: The Jury will select a maximum of five (5) finalists from among all the submitted works, who will be promptly notified.
The finalists will present their works at the holding of the III WORLD ENCOUNTER ON TERESIAN MYSTICISM AND INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE: Tibetan Buddhism and Teresian Mysticism, which will take place in Ávila (Spain) from July 25th to 28th, 2024.
- The first-prize winner will receive an award of €6,000 (from this amount the taxes provided by current law will be deducted)
- In addition, all 4 other finalists will receive an award of €1,000 each (from this amount the taxes provided by current law will be deducted)
The works will be published in the Encounter’s proceedings. If the Jury considers that other works submitted are also worth considering because of their high quality and originality, the authors will be notified of the decision to publish their works in the Encounter’s proceedings.
If the works are not of a sufficient standard, the Jury may also decide to not grant any prizes, or, they may decide to divide the first prize between a maximum of two finalists whose works are considered of equal value because of their excellent standard.
No transfer of property rights over the awarded works is required.
