The Cervantes Chair is a platform for promoting Spanish and Iberian languages, arts, culture, and science across Scotland. The Cervantes Chair or Cátedra Cervantes at the University of Edinburgh was inaugurated in May 2023 with the appointment of Professor Alexis Grohmann. It is the result of collaboration between the University, the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh, and the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester. It represents a new model for the presence of the Instituto Cervantes in the world. This collaboration means that for the first time, the Cervantes Institute, which has 92 centres across four continents and in 47 countries, will be organising events and activities open to the public in Scotland. Mission The Cervantes Chair collaborates with Scottish cultural institutions to offer a diverse range of events related to the Spanish language, arts, culture, and science. These events aim to promote the study of Spanish languages (including Castilian, Galician, Catalan, and Basque) and to celebrate and foster cultural connections between Scotland and Spain. In education, the focus is on training local primary and secondary teachers in Spanish to encourage the continuation of these links for generations to come. We are delighted to have been selected as the partner for the Cervantes Institute in Scotland and proud to host the world’s first ever Cervantes Chair here at the University. It means more opportunities for communities across Scotland to engage with and connect with Spanish language, literature and culture and deepen our existing connections and partnerships between Scotland and Spain. Alan Mackay Deputy Vice-Principal International and Director of Edinburgh Global Cultural and Academic Programme 2026 Catalan Film FestivalThe Catalan Film Festival returns to Scotland with a mesmerising programme of award-winning films, bringing a Mediterranean breeze to warm up the Scottish winter.Where: Locations across ScotlandWhen: From 14 March until 4 April Programme and more informationEarthbound: a public conversation on women, freedom and mobilities with Cristina Rivera GarzaAs part of her residency, Cristina will speak with Dr Liliana Chávez Díaz about her writing. The discussion will be followed by a drinks reception and book signing. This event is hosted by the School of Modern Languages in collaboration with the St Andrews Institute for Gender Studies and the Centre for Amerindian Studies.Where: United College, School I, St Salvator's Quadrangle, North Street, St Andrews KY16 9UYWhen: Friday 24 April, 5pm to 6.30pmFree registrationThe Virus of Here and Now: Bilingual Poetry ReadingA literary event featuring a bilingual reading of poems by acclaimed Mexican writer Cristina Rivera Garza, and translator and Professor of Hispanic Studies Ilana Luna. The dialogue between the poet and the professor will be open to questions from the audience, offering a unique opportunity to engage directly with both speakers.Where: Rare Birds Book Shop, 13a Raeburn Place, Edinburgh EH4 1HUWhen: Tuesday 28 April, 6pm to 8pmFree registration“[Un]Building the Pyrocene” The first symposium, Building the Pyrocene, will be hosted by the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture ESALA. There will be keynote presentations by Stephen Pyne and Luis Fernández-Galiano. Organised by The University of Edinburgh and University College London.Where: The University of Edinburgh (room yet to be allocated)When: Monday 18 May, 1pm to 5pmBenengeli FestivalBenengeli is an annual global programme by the Instituto Cervantes that highlights new directions in Spanish-language literature. This year’s edition spans five continents with 60 internationally renowned writers taking part. The central theme is “Libraries”.In Edinburgh, the Cervantes Chair at the University of Edinburgh will host a session with journalist and writer Karina Sainz Borgo. Where: Central Library, 7 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EGWhen: Thursday 28 May, 6pm Professor Alexis GrohmannProfessor Alexis Grohmann was appointed to the first Cervantes Chair in May 2023. Professor Grohmann is Professor of Contemporary Spanish Literature at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of over 200 publications in the fields of contemporary Spanish and European literatures, including the first full-length study of the novels of Javier Marías, Coming into One's Own: The Novelistic Development of Javier Marías, as well as other books on Marías, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, digression in European literature, and the Spanish newspaper column. In 2016, he was elected as a foreign correspondent to Spain's Royal Academy. In 2020, he formed part of the jury of the European literature prize Premio Formentor de las Letras. In 2022, he was appointed as the director of the Arturo Pérez-Reverte Chair at the Universidad de Murcia. Since 2022, he writes a newspaper column for the Spanish newspaper The Objective. This collaboration is not just for the University, it's not just for the city; it's for Scotland. Professor Alexis Grohmann Cervantes Chair About the Instituto CervantesThe Cervantes Institute is the official Spanish Language and Cultural centre. It is a non-profit organisation founded by the Spanish Government in 1991. Its mission is to promote and support the teaching, study, and use of Spanish abroad, as well as to promote Spanish and Hispanic cultures more generally. Instituto Cervantes in Manchester Join our mailing list Sign up to our newsletter to hear about upcoming Cervantes events Related Links: Cervantes Chair - Instituto Cervantes Consulado General de España en Edimburgo, Cátedra Cervantes en la Universidad de Edimburgo Edinburgh Impact - The Ties that Bind Us Professor Alexis Grohmann Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies at the University of EdinburghAlexis Grohmann's newspaper column in the Objective This article was published on 2024-06-24
