The great island of New Guinea—home to the principal endemic range of birds-of-paradise—stands out as a major centre of biodiversity and cultural creativity. In conjunction with the exhibition Plumes from Paradise: Voyages of an Extraordinary Bird from New Guinea (12 May–8 November 2026), this symposium, held over a day and a half, proposes a transdisciplinary reflection bringing together anthropology, ecology, and the arts. It focuses on the place of birds in local natural and cultural environments, as well as on their exogenous reappropriations. A particular focus on New Guinea will be complemented by perspectives from Amazonian and European worlds.

Three main themes will be explored:

1.    Co-existing
Drawing on case studies from New Guinea and the Amazon, this first theme will examine interspecies relations between human societies and birds in forest ecosystems, notably through the figures of birds-of-paradise, which carry symbolic, social and spiritual dimensions.

2.    Protecting
Through an analysis of current threats to forest habitats and to certain emblematic species, this second theme will open a discussion on conservation policies and local preservation practices, from Oceania to Europe.

3.    Being Inspired
Bringing together art historians, artists and artisans, this final theme will set into dialogue artistic practices associated with birds-of-paradise feathers, tracing their historical and contemporary circulations from Oceania to Asia and Europe.