The University of Alicante (UA) is set to host the symposium 'Alacant: terra valenciana' on 16, 17, and 24 October, which aims to reflect on Alicante's identity and rediscover the historical, linguistic, and cultural links that connect the provincial capital with the broader Valencian territory.
The sessions will be held at the San Vicente del Raspeig campus, the Sede Universitaria Ciudad de Alicante, and the Casal Popular Tio Cuc, featuring specialists from various academic fields and representatives from social and cultural entities. The event is open to the general public and does not require prior registration.
The symposium addresses the need to challenge the perception of Alicante as a city culturally disconnected from the rest of the Valencian territory. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the programme will explore the historical construction of Alicante's identity through language, history, literature, media, landscape, gastronomy, festivals, and popular culture, according to the organisers.
The programme also highlights voices from groups and entities that maintain an active cultural and social network in Valencian, including performances by the Muixeranga d’Alacant and the Grup de Danses Salpassa, a linguistic and literary route through the city, and a tasting of traditional Alicante cuisine.
Symposium schedule
The first day, Friday 16 October, will begin at 9:30 AM in the auditorium of the Faculty of Education with the inauguration and presentation of the symposium. Following this, at 10 AM, Vicent Beltran and Carles Segura will deliver a lecture titled 'El valencià d’Alacant. Ara i abans'. At 10:30 AM, a dialogue titled 'Eixir de l’armari lingüístic: els neoparlants' will be coordinated by Carles Segura, featuring participants including Josep M. Baldaquí, Mar Fidalgo, Alba Herrero, Juanjo Guijarro, Pedro Irles, and Patricia Dopazo.
After a break, at 12 PM, Xavier Amat will present the lecture 'Reivindicació del paisatge de la comarca d’Alacant'. This will be followed by a dialogue on 'Xarxa social i cultural en valencià (I)' at 12:30 PM, bringing together representatives from various cultural groups.
The afternoon session will continue at the Miguel Hernández room of the Sede Universitaria de Alicante at 4:30 PM, with presentations by Josep Martines, Carles Segura, Anna Esteve, and Jordi Antolí. At 5 PM, Brauli Montoya will discuss 'La interrupció intergeneracional del català a la ciutat d’Alacant', followed by a session on 'La toponímia i l’antroponímia d’Alacant' at 5:30 PM. The day will conclude at 6:30 PM with Carlos Crespo Amat's lecture 'Alacant al Regne de València' and a literary dialogue at 7 PM, coordinated by Anna Esteve.
On Saturday, 17 October, activities will commence at 9 AM in the Altamira room of the Sede Universitaria de Alicante. After a welcome, Miquel Àngel Pradilla from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili will present a lecture at 9:30 AM on 'Alacant en el context de la llengua catalana'. This will be followed by discussions on the historical evolution of the city and its contemporary identity.
The final day, Saturday 24 October, will begin at 9 AM with a welcome and a lecture by Lluís Amat on 'Les festes tradicionals d’Alacant i la llengua'. The symposium will conclude with performances and discussions focused on the role of the media in promoting Valencian.
This event is organised by the faculties of Philosophy and Letters and Education, the Department of Catalan Philology, and the Sede de Alicante of the Interuniversity Institute of Valencian Philology (IIFV) at the UA, with collaboration from various cultural and educational institutions.
