I Conference on Hispanic Thought

On July 1 and 2, 2024, the First Conference on Iberian Thought took place at the Royal University Center María Cristina of El Escorial, across from the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

First day: 1st July, 2024

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Juan Ángel Soto Gómez, from the University of Navarra, followed by an inspiring keynote session with Francisco José Contreras Peláez, from the University of Seville. The first roundtable focused on the genesis and relevance of the Iberian School of Thought, featuring Idoya Zorroza (Pontifical University of Salamanca), León Gómez Rivas (European University of Madrid), and José Carlos Martín de la Hoz (Academy of Ecclesiastical History).

Next came a discussion of the intellectual project “Ibérico” in Salamanca, Coimbra, and Évora, offering a Portuguese perspective with contributions from Daniela Silva (Catholic University of Portugal), Teresa Nogueira Pinto (Lusophone University), and José Bento da Silva (Warwick Business School).

After lunch, attendees enjoyed an informal coffee session with Amparo Ruiz Palazuelos, who shared fascinating insights into the origins of the Royal University Center Escorial – María Cristina.

The following roundtable examined the Iberian School in Spain, featuring Ruben Manso Olivar (Diego de Covarrubias Center), Manuel Llamas Fraga (Juan de Mariana Institute), and moderated by Eduardo Fernández (Francisco Marroquín University).

The final roundtable explored an American perspective, with contributions from Alice Galván (Fundación Patria Unida, Mexico), Camilo Bello (Faith and Liberty Institute, Guatemala), Oscar Escalante (CREO, Peru), and Mateo Rosales (Libres en Movimiento, Bolivia). The day concluded with an informal session with Eric Graf on The Conquest of China by Palafox.

Second day: 2nd July, 2024

The second day of the Conference on Iberian Thought in El Escorial was equally enriching. It began with a roundtable on Iberophony and Pan-Iberism, featuring Nieves Gómez (Ateneo Escurialense and Villanueva University), Cristóbal Matarán (European University of Madrid), and Reginaldo Menene Oluy Anguesomo (Francisco de Vitoria University).

This was followed by a discussion on the dissemination of Iberian thought today, with Mario Fantini (The European Conservative), José Manuel Castro (Revista Vértice), Óscar Rivas (Razón Española), Jaime Nogueira Pinto (Crítica XXI), and Camilo Bello (Instituto Fe y Libertad Review). Afterward, attendees shared a coffee with Segundo Carafí (Cruz del Sur Studies Center), who spoke about Argentina.

The closing session was led by Pedro López Arriba (Ateneo de Madrid), who discussed The Iberian School Today, highlighting the continuity of this intellectual lineage.

The conference concluded with a guided visit to the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.