SASMARS 20th Biennial Conference, September 2010

Dr Viv Westbrook writes:

Stellenbosch was a wonderful setting for the SASMARS conference. Delegates from all over the world offered a wonderful range of perspectives on the themed topic of ‘Afterlives’. I have never met a nicer group of people. The Mont Fleur conference centre was secluded, quiet and comfortable. The food was excellent and the overall service just fantastic. Morning walks up the mountains with new friends, surrounded by the indigenous Protea, where we happened upon Porcupine needles all added to the magic of the experience. What a way to start a busy day of conference presentations and discussions!

Dennis Danielson's impressions:

The SASMARS conference was lovely, and a lovely size. One could circulate and have a talk with almost everybody present -- people from Italy, Netherlands, the UK, the US, Taiwan, and above all from South Africa, colleagues who were wonderfully warm and hospitable, especially the organizers Professors Bratchel and Houliston. The papers and the discussion over Rooibos, wine, or dinner were very satisfying, and the setting and staff were simply splendid. Also, I enjoyed immensely the late afternoon and early morning bird-watching rambles up the hillside.

Here's a view of Mont Fleur from one of these:

About Mont Fleur

Mont Fleur is a hidden treasure, a place to meet, a place to think, a place to learn. It is a small, intimate venue exclusive to a single group at a time, a “home from home” where everyone feels special.

It is situated in the Blaauwklippen Valley on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, nestled in the Stellenbosch & Helderberg Mountain ranges amidst fynbos and vineyards. Mont Fleur is blessed with amazing natural beauty and offers you a welcome escape from the hustle, bustle and stress of city life. Despite being a secluded mountain retreat, Mont Fleur is only 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport and 45 minutes from Cape Town.

Mont Fleur specializes in conferencing in particular conferences with accommodation as opposed to day conferences. We offer a fully inclusive 24 hour conference package and we can host a maximum of 36 delegates.

What makes Mont Fleur Special?

•The warm welcome, personal attention and service.
•The peace and beauty.
•Freedom - ‘home from home’ no security risks, no rigid stiff formalities.
•The amazing food!
•It is the home of the historic Mont Fleur Scenarios.

Your hosts at Mont Fleur are Rod, Lynne and Bridgette Spence and a truly special team dedicated to looking after your needs. Mont Fleur is well known for its outstanding service and fine food.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mont Fleur for your next conference and to giving you some ‘Mont Fleur Magic’.

Susan Blackbeard writes:

I enjoyed the variety of subjects and different approaches of the speakers - and found the Dutch stuff interesting because I had done some Middle Nederlands in the dim past. At the other end of the scale, I found Dr Anne Hudson Jones's talk and images (“Connections between Renaissance Humanism and Contemporary Medical Humanities) from the Univ of Texas, Galveston, campus interesting as my HOD at UCT offers a slightly similar course to theirs. The poetry and music and sumptuous Medieval dinner of Friday evening was a highlight - as are (always) the craggy settings, delicious teas, stimulating chats, and comfortable beds with the sound of mountain streams (and the carousing of David and Peter) in the background.

Michele De Benedictis writes:

I’m very pleased to re-contact some member of SASMARS after the September conference in Stellenbosch.

Recalling the ripest fruits of this experience I’d say that this conference has been really productive in professional exchange, comparative approach to Early Modern Studies, and in joining new contacts with overseas academic authorities.

Professor Bratchel and Professor Houliston’s genuine kindness made me feel at home, and their opinion about my work still stimulates me to keep on my research activities.

Besides, the location was enchantingly embedded within an awesome landscape, surrounded with vineyard and wild mountains…and Mont Fleur was handsome for its staff availability, quality of dinners, and stylishness of rooms.

Should I find some smallest imperfection in the course of the Conference, according my humble opinion, it would consist only in the same topic of location. Too remote, almost cut off from ordinary daily-life; I felt like in a gilded isolation from the chaotic rhythm of pulsing life…(for 4 days in a row, for a European metropolitan beast like me, it’s not a joke). But, putting aside my silly idiosyncrasy, I guess this isolated location prevented other people interested in the conference – as simple graduate students – from attending the event; Mont Fleur is almost inaccessible without a taxi or a private car. A larger audience would have been more dynamic and open for sharing literary issues together.

Nevertheless, I hope to keep in contact for SASMARS activities in the near future, offering my modest contribution in case of new projects related to my research field.

Dr Viv Westbrook writes:

Dennis Danielson's impressions:

About Mont Fleur

Directions to Mont Fleur