In this episode of Flourishing Stories, Jasper Knecht and Andrzej Turkanik embark on a journey through history. Together, they explore Central Europe in the late 8th and early 9th centuries—a pivotal moment in European history: the Carolingian Renaissance. With Jasper and Andrzej, we uncover the foundations of Carolingian rule, its rise to power, and the lasting impact of its ambitious projects.

One figure stands out among all the transformative reforms and unification efforts: Alcuin of York, the central figure of ourFlourishing Story. Andrzej and Jasper examine his crucial role as an advisor and leader of the Carolingian reforms—a unifier who brought together the foremost intellectual, theological, and political minds of his time, and a visionary who sought to rethink and reshape existing systems across multiple fields.

Alcuin guided far-reaching reform projects aimed at standardization, including the unification of timekeeping and the calendar, the Latin language used in scholarship and official documents, typography through the Carolingian minuscule, as well as reforms in education, liturgy, and monastic practices. At the same time, these projects sought to preserve, produce, and document knowledge. Many ancient texts have survived to this day thanks to the meticulous efforts undertaken during the Carolingian Renaissance, when scholars copied, translated, and safeguarded invaluable works of antiquity and central theological texts, ensuring their transmission through the centuries.

Andrzej and Jasper take us into a story of collaboration—one driven by grand ideas and their practical implementation. A story that shaped governance, education, religion, and daily life throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. And a story that highlights the art and enduring impact of interdisciplinary cooperation.