SEOUL — The 17th International Conference of the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS), ISARS 2026 SEOUL, was successfully held from June 24 to 27 at Sogang University in Seoul. 

ISARS 2026 SEOUL was co-hosted by ISARS and the Academy for Korean Religion and Culture (ACKR) at Sogang University, and organized by the ISARS 2026 SEOUL Organizing Committee, in collaboration with leading Korean academic institutions, including the Institute for the Study of Religion at Sogang University, the Center for Folklore Studies at Seoul National University, the Korean Folklore Society, and the Korean Society for Shamanism.   

Under the theme “Shamanism and Power: Dialogues Across Knowledge, Art, and Society,” the conference examined shamanism in relation to power, knowledge, art, media, ecology, healing, cultural heritage, and contemporary society, bringing together academic research and cultural exchange.

Approximately 300 researchers, presenters, performers, filmmakers, students, and public participants from 36 countries attended the conference, making it the largest international conference in ISARS history. 

In its opening remarks, ISARS thanked the local organizing committee and ACKR at Sogang University for their dedication and support.

The conference featured keynote lectures, eight academic sessions, poster presentations, film screenings, traditional and contemporary performances, exhibition booths, and post-conference field excursions.

The keynote lectures were delivered by Rev. Daniel A. Kister, SJ, who presented “The Kaleidoscope of Shamanic Power,” and Dr. Laurel Kendall of the American Museum of Natural History, who presented “Goddess · Woman · Hero: Princess Pari from Korea.”

Academic sessions covered a broad range of topics, including gender and the body, ecology and non-human beings, shamanic traditions in East, Southeast, and South Asia, Mongolia and Siberia, Africa and the Amazon, digital media and contemporary shamanism, Korean shamanism and popular culture, ritual, music, and regional traditions.

Beyond conventional academic presentations, the conference distinguished itself by integrating film, performance, and digital media. 

On June 24, participants attended a screening of the ACKR documentary 'PRAYERS', followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and a Korean shamanic music performance. On June 25, the official banquet featured a traditional Korean Nongak performance. 

On June 26, special sessions including “K-pop Demon Hunters and Shamanism,” “Digital, Media & Contemporary Shamanism,” and “The Global Appeal of Korean Shamanism” examined shamanism in contemporary culture and digital media, followed by evening artistic performances.

Poster sessions and exhibition booths provided valuable networking opportunities for emerging scholars, publishers, archivists, and cultural content professionals.

The “My ISARS 2026” online portal provided participants with registration, program information, schedules, and other essential conference services, enhancing the overall conference experience.

The Seoul conference carried special historical significance as the first ISARS conference held in Korea since the inaugural Seoul conference in 1991, marking a return after 35 years. It served as a meaningful bridge connecting Korea's living shamanic traditions with the latest international scholarship on shamanism.

On the final day, participants joined cultural excursions to the Shaman Museum, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the National Folk Museum of Korea, experiencing Korea's religious and cultural heritage firsthand.

Building on the success of ISARS 2026 SEOUL, the organizing committee plans to expand international collaborative research, academic publications, networks for emerging scholars, and the archiving of academic, artistic, and audiovisual resources.

Professor Kim Dong-kyu, Chair of the ISARS 2026 SEOUL Organizing Committee, said, “This conference explored shamanism not simply as a traditional religious practice, but as a lens for understanding contemporary issues of power, ecology, technology, art, and community. We hope it will further strengthen international collaboration between Korean scholars and the global shamanism research community.” 

Photo courtesy: Academy for Korean Religion and Culture (ACKR), Sogang University.