Colloquia Draconis has premiered with a very positive feeling, marking a decisive step to strengthen the cultural projection of Montblanc and its Medieval Week.
The cycle, organized by the Rovira i Virgili University, the Montblanc City Council, and the Medieval Association of the Legend of Saint George, took place between April 20 and 21, linking the legend with history through a European cultural route.
The inaugural session and its protagonists
An event with key figures from the area
On Monday, April 20, at the old Santa Magdalena hospital, the inaugural event of the cycle took place. The mayor Marc Vinya, the president of the Medieval Association Maties Martí, and two vice-rectors of the URV, Jordi Diloli and Juan Antonio Duro, spoke.
The speeches emphasized institutional collaboration to create the cultural route endorsed by the Council of Europe and the development of this colloquium project.
Colloquia Draconis: a unique opportunity
The first colloquium, moderated by Natàlia Moruno, coordinator of the cycle and professor at the Faculty of Tourism and Geography of the URV, went deeper into what it means to be part of this European cultural route.
Experts such as Dr. Jordi Tresserras, advisor of the European route of Saint George and the dragon, and dean Òscar Saladié explained the opportunities that open up for Montblanc, the Medieval Week, and the cultural projection of the country.
The dialogue on medieval literature
Presentation of the book that recovers the tradition
On April 21, at the Regional Museum, the book Fra Bernat and other medieval tales to laugh at was presented, in collaboration with Òmnium Cultural Conca de Barberà.
Àlex Rebollo, historian at the University of Barcelona, and Sadurní Martí, translator and professor at the University of Girona, discussed this collection offering a fresh look at Catalan medieval literature.
Translation and cultural value
The book, which collects four of the nearly fifty medieval tales in Catalan that have been preserved, was presented as a bridge between past and present, a tool to bring this era closer to today’s audience.
The dialogue highlighted the cultural richness of an era and its people, turning the work into an ideal gift for Saint George’s Day.
Future perspectives for Montblanc and the Medieval Week
Consolidated academic and cultural drive
The organization’s feeling is clearly positive. Colloquia Draconis has achieved the goal of initiating an academic aspect and knowledge transfer within the Medieval Week.
Thus, the ground is prepared for future editions with deeper and more attractive content.
The focus on the 2027 edition
The year 2027 will center on the figure of James II, coinciding with the 700th anniversary of his death.
Experts such as Flocel Sabaté, Manuel Forcano, and Jaume Felip have already confirmed their participation, guaranteeing a new edition of great academic and cultural level.
Montblanc not only aspires to keep its history alive but to turn it into a first-rate European cultural platform.
Colloquia Draconis has already begun its route, and it seems it has no intention of stopping.
Source of the article: Montblanc City Council
