Lecturers to tackle Da Vinci Code

The conference will explore issues raised by The Da Vinci Code

Exploring fact and fiction in The Da Vinci Code is the topic of a conference to be held in Glasgow.

Lecturers from the University of Glasgow will explore scripture, history, art and literature at the one-day conference on Saturday.

Reading The Da Vinci Code will aim to answer questions raised by Dan Brown's controversial novel.

Subjects include the Holy Grail, Mary Magdalene and Leonardo Da Vinci's painting The Last Supper.

Dr Bob Davis, of the department of religious education, said: "We want to enable people to make an informed decision on claims made in The Da Vinci Code rather than accept all the ideas presented by Dan Brown.

"Academics can be snooty about popular fiction and popular ideas but we hope this shows we are ready to engage with the issues."

Lecturers include Professor Patrick Reilly who made and distributed a DVD to schools and parishes criticising the forthcoming film.