Date:
Location: San Juan , Puerto Rico Hybrid: Online and at General Studies College, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
The dark cold Middle Ages seem far away from the warm festive environment of the Caribbean. Both these statements are clichés. As the Middle Ages were not only dark and cold, and had much more to offer to History, the same applies for the Caribbean. Although a priori the study of the Middle Ages in the Caribbean will seem odd, in our case Puerto Rico is fertile ground for researchers. Within the United States, it is in Puerto Rico that the oldest European constructions can be found. Although these constructions were started by the mid-16th century, they were built following the style used in Castille during that period: late gothic art. Since that period, and until the mid-20th century, different medieval objects arrived on the island, either to embellish structures or as additions to institutions’ collections throughout Puerto Rico.
Since the 1950’s, European’s scholars, such as Juan Contreras y López de Ayala, have foreseen the influences of the late Middles Ages and Early Modernity in Puerto Rico. And by the 70’s, Puerto Rican scholars started paying attention to this subject. Dr. Isabel Gutiérrez del Arroyo was the first Puerto Rican historian to suggest that 16th century Puerto Rico was a transition, a leap between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era.
During Spring 2025, the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CEMyR) will celebrate its second conference in memory of Dr. Isabel Gutierrez del Arroyo to celebrate her life, interest, and audacity as a scholar. These conferences will be exclusively dedicated to promoting and highlighting the importance and relevance of Medieval Studies on the island. Through this three-day event and a series of lectures, we intend to create a platform that will expound on the relevance of Medieval Studies in Latin American and the Caribbean and/or also in sharing the research work of local medievalist.
Dates: March 21, April 1, and April 2
The conferences are intended for faculty, students, and the public. They will be presented in a hybrid modality. The General Studies College will host the in-person conferences, and these will be live stream trough the College’s YouTube channel.
