The Hermandad de Santiago Apóstol in La Solana will host the sixteenth edition of its santiaguista conference series from 10 to 14 November. This year’s programme includes three lectures and a mass for deceased members, as outlined during an official presentation to local media.
Paulino Sánchez, the secretary of the brotherhood, revealed the details of the event, which has been focused on themes related to Santiago and the church for the past sixteen years. The activities are open to the public, not just to members of the brotherhood, as they explore topics related to the history and geography of the region.
Conference schedule
The first lecture, scheduled for Tuesday 10 November, is titled ‘San Juan de Ávila: life and spirituality’ and will be delivered by Juan Carlos Torres Torres, the parish priest of Asunción in Almodóvar del Campo. This topic is particularly relevant as it coincides with the Avilist Year being celebrated in the town of Almodóvar.
“To open these conferences, what better topic than San Juan de Ávila,” said Sánchez.
The following day, on Wednesday 11 November, Dolores Carrasco Álamo, a historian and cultural councillor of Montiel, will present ‘Pedro I, precursor of a modern state’. This lecture will examine the figure of the Castilian monarch and the historical context surrounding the regicide at Montiel, which led to a dynastic change.
Sánchez noted, “Pedro I was known as The Cruel to some and The Just to others,” highlighting the relevance of the topic to the region’s history.
The final conference will take place on Thursday 12 November, titled ‘The holders of the marquisate of Santa Cruz and their relationship with the encomienda of La Solana and Alhambra’. This talk will be given by Tonka Ivanova Angelova, a doctoral researcher in History and Art History at UNED Valdepeñas. Her research focuses on the relationship between the marquisate holders and the encomienda from the late 16th to the 18th century, including notable figures such as Álvaro de Bazán and María Eugenia de Bazán, who served as a commendatory.
“This was not very common at the time, as it was usually consort queens or marquises who held these positions,” she added.
All three lectures will commence at 8 PM in the Aula San Juan de Ávila at the Casa de la Iglesia. The programme will conclude with a mass for deceased members at the parish of Santa Catalina on Saturday 14 November at 7 PM. Sánchez encouraged public participation and emphasised the commitment of the new board, led by Pedro Ignacio García-Abadillo.
