KALAMAZOO — About 600 informational sessions on top­ics ranging from the medievalism of Harry Potter novels to homosexuality in the Middle Ages will be held this week at Western Michigan University.





Medieval literature, mu­sic and art are some of the topics that will be discussed at WMU’s 46th International Congress on Medieval Studies, which will run from Thursday to Sunday.



The conference, which is ex­pected to bring 2,900 to 3,000 people from all over the world, is the largest conference in Kalamazoo, Medieval Institute

Director Jim Murray said.



“We’ve gotten bigger the last five years,” he said.



About half of those who are traveling to Kalamazoo from out of town for the convention will be staying in WMU’s Gold­sworth

Valley Residence Halls,

Murray said.



Registration for the event is now closed, Murray said, but Kalamazoo residents still might be able to get into some sessions for free or for a small fee on Thursday morning.



Murray said he hopes the





More information about the International Congress on Medieval Studies, as well as a complete schedule of this year’s events, is available at the Medieval Institute’s website, Medieval Institute will plan special community events for next year, which will be the conference’s 50th anniversary.More information about the International Congress on Medieval Studies, as well as a complete schedule of this year’s events, is available at the Medieval Institute’s website, www.wmich.edu/medieval