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Synopsis The goal of the conference “Innovations and Reproductions in Cultures and Societies” is not limited ‘only’ to drawing attention to the importance of culture but its examination in contemporary processes in order to create new premises for investigating the past. The expanded goal of the conference is to develop the foundation that will make it possible to participate in the shaping of the present and future. The question for us today is how we can create reproductions of knowledge that will guarantee optimal knowledge and, as a corollary, what do we consider optimal knowledge in contemporary processes. The aim of the Conference is to study knowledge in a new way by participants from the most varied disciplines. The narrative in the Tamil epic Manimekalai was chosen for its striking qualities of innovation and reproduction. When Manimekalai took decisions on her life, cognition and positive force set her on the path of knowledge. Born to be a courtesan, her decision to take the vow of chastity and charity is daring innovation, which utilized creative power in the service of spiritual and social goals. By writing the epic merchant Prince Shattan reproduced the narrative in a form that could be retained and retrieved. The Tamil epic Manimekalai has endured for nearly two millenniums because of the innovation of Brahmi script derived from Aramaic, which enabled reproduction of knowledge through writing for the benefit of society. The written reproduction provides the possibility of a broader reception and, more importantly, also of history, society and religion, and the opportunity for critical observation, since only a fixed text makes any kind of criticism possible.