The Escuela Hispánica, thanks to Dr. Nieve de los Ángeles Vásquez, had the opportunity to participate in the first International Congress between Puerto Rico and Spain, on October 14, organized by the humanities department, University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón. The congress consisted of several sessions organized over four days with the objective of celebrating and remembering Hispanic heritage and Spain's legacy in Puerto Rico, during the week following the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day (October 12). Speakers came mostly from Spain and Puerto Rico, in addition to other countries such as Argentina, the Philippines, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Escuela Hispánica was represented by David Cruz de la Torre, who presented a paper on Puerto Rico and its links with the School of Salamanca during the first day of the congress.
Cultural Roots and Shared Histories
Many topics were addressed, among which those that examined cultural roots and shared histories stood out, such as:
1) Bishop Pablo Benigno Carrión, recognized as the spiritual bridge between Andalusia and Puerto Rico.
2) The Way of St. James and its significance in Western culture.
3) The annus mirabilis of the Hispanic monarchy in Brazil, the global impact of the conquest and recovery of Salvador de Bahia.
David Cruz de la Torre with his professor Rafael Maldonado de Guevara Delgado from the Carlos III University of Madrid, Member of the Congress Organizing Committee
Notable Sanjuaneros and Constitutional Legacy
The second day focused on the role of some notable Sanjuaneros in the history of Hispanicity, such as Juan Alonso Zayas, one of the leaders of the Second Expeditionary Battalion of Baler, the same group that starred in the famous episode of "The Last Ones in the Philippines"; the story of Ramón Power y Giralt, the vice-president of the Courts of Cádiz and, via the Courts of Cádiz, the projection of Puerto Rico in the constitutionalism of Spain, Ibero-American countries, and Equatorial Guinea.
World Heritage Cities and the Civitas Dei
A thematic table that was a highlight consisted of the presentation of four World Heritage cities: Naples, Salamanca, Alcalá de Henares, and San Juan. Of these four cities, the most surprising to see is Naples, as it had an important period of Spanish rule, becoming part of the Spanish Empire in 1503 and being governed by Spanish viceroys until 1707.
Something that is not very recognized outside of Spain is the central role of Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros and his concept of Civitas Dei in the development of the modern university city. Civitas Dei refers to the City of God, a concept of an ideal city that originated at the University of Alcalá de Henares, founded by himself. This model university city served as an example for other universities across Europe and America. Civitas Dei was the model of the ideal urban community that Spanish missionaries brought to America. We must recognize the ideal university city and the influence of Alcalá de Henares on the universities of San Marcos in Peru, the University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. The Hispanic influence can also be seen in the new cities of La Laguna (Canary Islands), Santo Domingo, Cartagena de Indias, and other cities across the Americas. Between Alcalá de Henares and Salamanca, one can understand how Spain has replicated itself in the Americas and how it has created a strong civilizational brotherhood among Ibero-American countries.
David Cruz de la Torre during his presentation
María Zambrano, the Exiles, and the Future
The following morning, several thematic tables were organized on María Zambrano, Spanish exiles in Puerto Rico, and historiographical notes on the immigration of people from the Canary and Balearic Islands during the 19th century to Puerto Rico. The first International Congress between Puerto Rico and Spain seeks to pave the way for conversations that look toward the future of their relationship, putting special emphasis on the Sephardic law and the proposal for reparative nationality for Puerto Rico. Although the topic leaves more questions than answers, it is notable that these questions are exposed before dozens of students and with sponsors such as the Spanish Ministry of Culture, autonomous cities like San Juan and Bayamón, the city council of Vélez-Málaga, companies like Hyatt Hotels and Goya, and foundations such as María Zambrano and Heriberto Nieves.
Hispanicity Parade 2025
Civilizational Continuity
The vast majority of topics in the first congress highlight the importance of the Escuela Hispánica in the exploration of the Hispanic tradition of liberty because, as Juan Ángel Soto has noted in his new publication, The Empire Strikes Back, there is a civilizational continuity that endures between Spain and its former colonies. The only other European country that is maintaining its relations with its former colonies at this level is Portugal for parallel reasons. Puerto Rico remains Hispanic, and more than just sharing a heritage, in the faces of Puerto Rico, there is a look toward other Antillean countries like Cuba and particularly the Dominican Republic; toward other Ibero-American countries like Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela; and toward every community in Spain such as the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country. The first Congress reflects that Puerto Rico wants to strengthen its relations with Spain.
Furthermore, knowing that this year was the first time that the Philippines and Puerto Rico participated in the Grand Hispanicity Parade 2025 with a total representation of 23 countries, I guess that Puerto Rico is not the only heir country that feels the impulse to strengthen its relations with Spain and among the Ibero-American countries themselves.
