The Real Monasterio de Santa María de Guadalupe has served as the venue for the III Guadalupe in America conference, inaugurated under the title 'Colima in its Fifth Centenary'. The event aims to delve into the historical processes that shaped New Spanish society in the 16th century and to analyse the cultural and social ties between Extremadura and the Mexican city of Colima.
Organised by the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation and the Extremadura Foundation for Culture, the conference gathers specialists and institutional representatives to commemorate the five hundred years of history of Colima, which is the capital of the Mexican state of the same name.
During the opening remarks, Fray Vidal Rodríguez López, guardian of the monastery, emphasised the historical role of the site as a space for cultural exchange and knowledge. He described it as an "alambique de saberes destilados por la historia" (a still of knowledge distilled by history), which continues to produce culture and represents a space for spirituality, encounter, and dialogue.
Fray Vidal also highlighted the American vocation of Guadalupe and the importance of maintaining historical ties with Mexico, viewing the conference as an opportunity to deepen this relationship built over five centuries.
Maria Félix Tena, President of the Superior Court of Justice of Extremadura, underscored the significance of studying historical relations between Europe and America from a perspective of "coexistence, respect, and mutual enrichment". She advocated for the recovery of lessons from history regarding cultural coexistence, particularly in a complex international context. Tena stated that "peaceful coexistence, communication, and relationships between cultures have allowed us to advance and grow as humanity" and highlighted the contributions of Francisco Lebrón de Quiñones, an Extremaduran who studied patterns of coexistence between Europeans and American populations five centuries ago.
Sixto Sánchez Lauro, co-director of the conference, noted that this event coincides with the Holy Year of Guadalupe, adding a "religious dimension inseparable from the bond we share with America". He expressed that the conference aims to "better understand our shared past, strengthen present ties, and open new paths for collaboration and friendship between Colima, Guadalupe, and Extremadura".
Roberto Moreno Béjar, Director of Promotion and Tourism for the Colima City Council, recalled the city's origins, founded by Gonzalo de Sandoval under the orders of Hernán Cortés, and highlighted the cultural exchange process that began at that time. He stated that "we cannot understand any aspect of life in Colima without considering the confluence of cultures that began five hundred years ago".
The inauguration was also attended by José Miguel Martín Ramiro, Mayor of Puebla and Villa de Guadalupe. Over the course of two days, the III Guadalupe in America conference will address the history of Colima and the processes that shaped New Spanish society, contributing to the reinforcement of knowledge about the shared historical and cultural heritage between Extremadura and Mexico.
