The International Bagpipe Organisation presents the
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL BAGPIPE CONFERENCE
8-10 March 2024
​Hosted by the
Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

CALL FOR PAPERS
Abstract submission deadline: 1 October 2023
Abstract acceptance notification: 1 November 2023
Abstract length: 250 words
Contact: internationalbagpipeorg@gmail.com
Website: www.internationalbagpipeorganisation.com

Call for Papers

The International Bagpipe Organisation warmly invites you to participate in the Seventh International Bagpipe Conference (IBC) to mark International Bagpipe Day 2024 (10 March), a celebration of the world’s diverse bagpipes and bagpiping traditions. This year’s conference is organised in collaboration with the Bulgarian National ​Bagpipe Association and the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Art in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The conference will spread over three days, starting on Friday evening with International Women Pipers’ Concert and ending on Sunday afternoon. The conference will be at the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The Friday evening concert will be held at the BeeBop Café, and the Saturday conference and will be held at the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Social events on Saturday evening and Sunday will be held in Plovdiv.

The conference is a productive and welcoming platform for all people interested in the study of bagpipes: musicologists, ethnomusicologists, music experts, instrument makers, folk musicians, dancers, and music lovers. This event is an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity to debate various questions relating to the study of bagpipes both today and historically. All are welcome, whether you choose to present or simply listen and enjoy the atmosphere. The IBCs are friendly events, open to all, promoting bagpipes from all around the world.

In 2024, the conference moves to Bulgaria (after returning to the UK in 2022). We are delighted to host our first conference in this country, renowned for its beautiful bagpipe music and culture.
 
Presenters from across the world are welcome to present on themes directly linked to bagpipes. Papers touching on other themes such as organology, playing techniques, ornamentation, history, iconography, instrument making, recordings, archiving, collecting, composing are welcome.

Interested participants are to submit a paper title, an abstract of no more than 250 words, complete with an institutional affiliation or profession and contact details by 1 October 2023 to: internationalbagpipeorg@gmail.com. 

Due to a large number of applications in previous years, abstracts from people who are applying for the first time or who did not present in 2022 will be prioritised. This is to encourage a wider scope of presenters. We do, however, encourage everyone to attend the conference, regardless of whether you are presenting or not.
​
For more information or details about past conferences, including abstracts of past papers, please browse our website.

Successful applicants will be notified by 1 November 2023.

The conference is teaming up the Bulgarian National Bagpipe Association to organise the event, hosted by the Acamedy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts.

This amphitheatre is at the back of the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts, where the conference will be hosted.

Schedule

Conference schedule:
Friday 8 March – afternoon
International arrivals

Friday 8 March 2024 – evening
Women Pipers’ Concert

Saturday 9 March 2024 – day
International Bagpipe Conference
 
Saturday 9 March 2024 – evening
Dinner and Bring your own bagpipe – curated session
 
Sunday 10 March 2024
Morning: Conference papers
Afternoon: Outing at the Ethnographic Museum, Bishop’s Basilica of Philippolis, mini concert
Evening: parting session 
​

Programme Committee:
Prof. Timothy Rice (UCLA, USA)
Assist. Prof. Cassandre Balosso-Bardin (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Dr. Roger Landes (Texas Tech University, USA)
Assist. Prof. Panayiotis League ( Florida State University, USA)

​Organising committee
Teodora Ignatova (BNBA)
Ivan Georgiev
Bulgarian National Bagpipe Association
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Art
Cassandre Balosso-Bardin (IBO)
 
IBO Committee
Cassandre Balosso-Bardin
Roger Landes
Arle Lommel
 

Partners
This conference could not have taken place without the help and support of several partners.