The College of Arts and Letters, College of Humanities and Public Affairs and Honors College at Missouri State University will host a series of events titled “1517-2017: 500 Years of Reformations” this January and February.

Five hundred years ago, on Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther is said to have posted his ‘95 Theses’ questioning the sale of indulgences for the forgiveness of sins on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, Germany. This event set in motion a chain of events that led to the formation of the Protestant branch of Christianity and brought about changes in Catholicism as well.

“‘1517-2017: 500 Years of Reformations’ is an educational and commemorative event that aims to inform the public about the rise of Protestantism in Europe, to demonstrate its impact on religion, music and arts, and to narrate its arrival in the Ozarks,” said Dr. Austra Reinis, professor of religious studies.

Schedule of events

The following events are free and open to the public:

• Jan. 11-Feb. 28: The exhibitions “The Reformations and their Books” and “The Reformations and the Arts” will be available for viewing during normal hours in the New Books Room at Meyer Library. The exhibitions will also be open on Feb. 3 from 5-8 p.m.

• Feb. 19: Choirs from the Springfield area will perform a concert entitled “Reforming Worship: A Musical Celebration of the Reformation” at 3 p.m. at University Heights Baptist Church, 1010 S. National Ave. The concert will feature works by Palestrina, Bach and Billings.

• Feb. 21: Speakers Dr. John Chuchiak and Dr. Eric Nelson, both professors of history at Missouri State, Dr. Mitzi Kirkland-Ives, associate professor of art and design at MSU, and Dr. Maureen Warren, curator of European and American art at the Krannert Art Museum, will present a symposium entitled “Prints, Propaganda and the Reformations” at 6 p.m. at the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Dr.

For more information, contact Reinis at 417-836-8524.