Credo and goals

Although we do not always reflect on it, we live in an environment in which values are a kind of cornerstone of our individual and social existence. They provide us with a framework for how to act, how to treat others, and how to find meaning and purpose in our daily activities.

Values

• help us determine what is important to us and provide direction in life;
• guide us in making moral and ethical decisions;
• help us to distinguish between what we consider right and wrong and to better understand ourselves and what we expect from life;
• motivate us to continually improve and work on ourselves;
• can strengthen the bonds between people and create strong and harmonious relationships;
• shape the culture and norms that maintain social order and stability;
• help us make decisions and set priorities.

Since 2012, the Values in Literature and Art conference has been held to create an environment for reflection on the role of values not only in art itself (whether in literature, visual arts, music or applied arts), but also in our individual existence and in the existence of the social organism of which we are a part.

The following axiological aspects of artistic activity as such and of individual works of art are frequent topics that attract the attention of scholars attending conferences:

• themes and motifs;
• symbolism and metaphors;
• style and technique;
• attitude to society, to current issues and to the ambiguity of human existence;
• cultural and historical context of artistic creation and reflection on art;
• choice of themes, stories and characters;
• imagery and emotions;
• aesthetic preferences, the relationship between aesthetics and axiological issues.

Art is therefore not only a reflection of values, but also a tool for their communication and transformation. Artists can use their work to inspire, provoke reflection and contribute to the development of value dialogue in society.

Thanks to its focus and its regularity, the Values in Literature and Art conference has become a meeting place for scholars who are aware of the importance of reflecting on values and who include it as an integral part of their work.

The outputs of each year's conferences are available to the general public through the conference proceedings.