IE University hosts the opening of the 3rd edition of the JLF Valladolid - Spain

The JLF Valladolid – Spain, an international branch of the Jaipur Literature Festival, inaugurated its third edition at IE University in Madrid. This prestigious Indian literary event aims to foster dialogue and exchange of ideas among different cultures, with a special focus on the connection between India and Spanish-speaking countries. The program, happening from June 5 to 8 in Valladolid, includes book presentations, debates, concerts, and workshops.

The inaugural session of the JLF Valladolid - Spain 2025 was introduced by Catalina Tejero, Dean of IE School of Humanities. In her remarks, she reaffirmed the School’s commitment to literature as a vehicle for critical reflection and intercultural dialogue.

"The Jaipur Literature Festival served as our inspiration. The audience of over 500,000 people at the Jaipur Literature Festival demonstrated that a literature festival can facilitate dialogue not only in the arts but also in areas such as politics and economics", said Tejero.

The session included a panel conversation titled ‘How the World Made the West’, between Josephine Quinn, Professor of Ancient History at the University of Cambridge; and Rubén Montoya, Adjunct professor of Humanities and Archaeology at IE School of Humanities. Quinn challenged the conventional notion of "the West," pointing out that the concept of "civilization" emerged in the Enlightenment era and was often used to legitimize imperialism and colonial domination. She noted how these constructs have shaped perceptions of race, ethnicity, and culture.

Montoya expanded on this by emphasizing the idea of “cultural connection” to question established historical narratives. Both scholars illustrated global interconnectedness through compelling archaeological evidence—such as Baltic amber found in ancient graves in India and Greece, and Asian pottery unearthed in Southern Spain—underscoring the depth and complexity of ancient, globalized trends and cultural exchange.

The presentation of this present edition of the festival was hosted in April at IE Tower. Dinesh Patnaik, Ambassador of India to Spain; Juan Manuel Guimerans, CEO of Valladolid Tourism and President of the Spain Film Commission; Sanjoy Roy, Managing Director of Teamworks Arts; and Namita Gokhale, Indian writer, Director of the Jaipur Literature Festival and member of jury of the IE Foundation Prizes in the Humanities, were present at the inaugural session.