Approaching Religion 16 / 2 – Religion: Concealed and Revealed

The new issue of Approaching Religion presents papers related to the theme concealed and revealed. The articles are based on keynotes and papers presented at the summer school and conference Religion: Concealed and Revealed, organized in Turku in June 2025. The event was jointly organized by the Centre for the Study of Christian Cultures at the University of Turku, the Polin Institute for Theological Research at Åbo Akademi University and the Donner Institute.

The authors relate to the topic from both historical and contemporary viewpoints, highlighting concealment as a way of survival, esoteric practices as inspiration for artists and thinkers, rituals and role-taking, and the role of class and gender in gaining and utilizing esoteric knowledge. Together, the contributions point to a rich field of research in need of more scholarly attention

Contributing authors are Ilona Roger Vanzila Munsi (Nanzan University), Manon Hedenborg White (Malmö University), Olivia Cejvan (Malmö University), Tero Heinonen (Åbo Akademi University), Boris Brander (University of Turku), Sofia Silvén (University of Turku), Mila Santala (University of Turku) and Inkeri Suutari (University of Turku). The thematic issue has been compiled by the guest editor Tiina Mahlamäki (University of Turku) and editor Sofia Sjö (The Donner Institute).