Carolus Magnus’s Oral Legends: Unravelling and Safeguarding

CAROLUS responds to the urgent need to safeguard the endangered oral traditions related to Carolus Magnus and his heroes.

The project addresses the imminent extinction of these cultural treasures in Europe and remote corners of South America and Africa.

Through immersive fieldwork and interdisciplinary studies, CAROLUS aims to document, study, and revitalize these intangible heritages, ensuring their preservation for future generations.The project employs a sophisticated research methodology, which weaves diachronic links between present-day local expressions and medieval origins, and conducts synchronic and comparative analyses on surviving performances, sung narratives and traditional theatre about Carolus Magnus.

This comprehensive approach spans a millennium, and encompasses literature, performing arts, philology, sociology, and anthropology.

CAROLUS is a transdisciplinary exploration of oral and written traditions from the Middle Ages to the present.Focussed on the epic of Carolus Magnus, hailed as ""the Father of Europe"", the project boasts a transcultural scope, spanning three continents and different linguistic areas.

Beyond research, it envisions an innovative ""open science"" portal providing unrestricted access to materials, academic outcomes and outreaches for a broader audience.

CAROLUS aims to be a bastion for the preservation of this intangible heritage, ensuring its resonance within the tapestry of human culture.

This project is not merely an academic pursuit; it is a commitment to safeguarding Europe’s rich heritage for future generations.