| THE 13th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
ON TRADITIONAL POLYPHONY 23– 26 September, 2026, Tbilisi, Georgia |
International Research Centre for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire and Anzor Erkomaishvili Folklore State Centre are inviting scholars working on the problems of polyphony to the 13th International Symposium on Traditional Polyphonic, to be held on September 23- 26, 2026.
One of the features of the symposium is the diversity of themes, which is allowed for by the interdisciplinary character of ethnomusicology.
Official languages of the Symposium are English and Georgian. All the papers will be published after the symposium in both English and Georgian.
Complete information including the history of previous symposia, information on the participants, contents of the bilingual books of proceedings with full texts of all symposium papers and further information about the International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire is available at: www.symposium.polyphony.ge
Topics of the Symposium:
Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts on all aspects of traditional polyphony. The submitted papers will be grouped according to the themes and issues discussed in them and will be presented at the corresponding session. This will allow for better covering wide range of the issues of polyphony.
Along with traditional areas of interest, we would like to present one new topic at the 13th symposium:
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Various Formats of Researching Traditional Music
Proposed for discussion is a new topic on how artificial intelligence tools and methods (including machine teaching, big data analysis and automated transcription systems) can be used in researching traditional polyphony.
Attention may be drawn to the following issues:
- Automatic transcription and Analysis: Application of AI for accurate transcription of vocal polyphony recordings, automatic identification and comparison of musical structures, regional styles, melodic and rhythmic features.
- Bid Data Analysis: the ability of AI to analyze numerous archival polyphonic recordings, to reveal lesser-studied connections, evolutionary trends, and interregional influences, thus providing new insights into traditional music.
- New methods of ethnomusicological research: how AI changes the research methods of ethnomusicologists; whether it creates new ethical issues in terms of data processing and the protection of cultural heritage.
- AI and composition/revival: prospects for using artificial intelligence to restore lost or damaged polyphonic examples or to create new polyphonic material while preserving traditional styles.
- Training and educational programs: how AI-based tools can be integrated into the teaching process of polyphony, providing for deepening performers’ and listeners’ knowledge.
This topic will allow symposium participants to engage in a discussion on the application of technological advances in preservation and understanding of cultural heritage.
Traditional themes of the symposium:
- General Theory, History, and Musical-Aesthetic Aspects of Polyphony
The topic considers a wide range of general problems of polyphony, characteristic of contemporary cultural anthropology.
- Regional Styles and Musical Language of Traditional Polyphony
The theme unites wide range of regional studies of polyphonic singing styles, encompassing huge regions as well as in-depths studies of a small region, ethnic minority, or village.
- Comparative Study of Traditional Polyphony
It is impossible to have a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of traditional polyphony without a comparative approach. We invite scholars to work on the development of new methodologies in this direction.
- Sociological Aspects of Traditional Polyphony: Performers and Listeners; Gender, Age, Identity.
A wide range of topics on different aspects of social life of traditional communities is covered under the theme. These problems will be viewed in relation to contemporary life and from historical perspectives.
- Polyphony in Secular and Sacred Music
Interactions between traditional polyphony and early forms of professional polyphony in various European countries are main topics of this theme, although papers dedicated to other regions and time span are also welcome.
- Traditional Instrumental Polyphony
. Although the symposium mainly focuses on vocal polyphony, various interaction aspects of vocal and instrumental polyphony might be discussed within the framework of this theme.
- World Music and Traditional Polyphony
“World Music” expresses the aspiration of different cultures towards harmonization. The idea of the “Global Village” confirms universal character of music. Those interested study vocal traditions of “other” cultures in situ; traditional singers are invited to teach in other countries. What is lost or gained in this process?
Round table:
Social Function of Traditional Music in Contemporaneity
Traditional music, which has been an integral part of peoples’ life mode since ancient times, has not lost its relevance in modern epoch, although it has acquired a different social significance. Its social function is rapidly changing and becoming as comprehensive as the reality in which this music exists.
Today, traditional music can be found everywhere — in music therapy, cultural tourism, the media, social media and marketing, in transformed feast, vocational training, etc. Under increased migration, in a new cultural and geographical space, it has become a powerful symbol of identity.
All this has significantly expanded the scope of the social function of traditional music, which is also reflected in new ethnomusicological research. At the round table we suggest to discuss the social function of traditional music from this updated perspective.
Proposals
The Program Committee encourages submission of individual, panel, and round-table proposals:
- Individual paper will be allotted up to 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes for questions and discussion[1];
- A panel presentation includes two or three papers, 20 minutes each, followed by a 10 minutes’ discussion;
- A round table session (up to 2 hours) includes no more than four presenters (10 minutes each). The audience is encouraged to participate in the discussion.
Abstracts, short biographies and complete papers
Abstract and short biography – both texts no more than 1800 characters wish spaces (should be inserted in the online registration form).
Complete text of papers: no more than 7 pages, font – Sylfaen, size – 12, spacing – 1.5, reference – APA style
TIMELINE
Deadline for online registration: 1 April, 2026
Notification of acceptance: by 1 May, 2026
The deadline for submitting complete text of the presentation, considering the time required for translation: 1 July, 2026
Registration fee
For scholars – 80 USD
For students – 30 USD
The costs of accommodation and cultural program will be covered by the Organizing Committee of the Symposium.
The organizing side plans a one-day cultural program for the participants – a visit to one region of Georgia.
The Tbilisi International Symposium is not only a scientific forum on the issues of traditional polyphony. The symposium will see performance of the ensembles from Georgia and other countries of the world, performing their polyphonic music.
The Program Committee
Dr. Rusudan Tsurstumia (Georgia)
Dr. Joseph Jordania (Australia-Georgia)
Dr. Izaly Zemtsovsky (USA-Russia)
Dr. Maka Khardziani (Georgia)
Dr. Teona Lomsadze (Georgia)
Dr. Natalia Zumbadze (Georgia)
Dr. Nino Tsitsishvili (Australia-Georgia)
Dr. Daiva Raciunaite-Vyciniene (Lithuania)
Dr. Caroline Bithell (UK)
Contact information for Symposium participants
Senior specialist Ana Lolashvili: polyphony@tsc.edu.ge
Ethnomusicologist Joseph Jordania: josephjordania@yahoo.com.au
[1] Given the potentially large number of participant scholars, the speakers are expected to be allocated 15 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for questions and answers.
