Historical Society hosts International Congress in Zamora on 12th-century Portugal and the genesis of global Portugal

Today the Historical Society for the Independence of Portugal launches the Luso-Spanish Congress "Portugal in the 12th century: what we were like 900 years ago; the genesis of global Portugal", taking place on June 6th and 7th, in the Meeting Room of the Fundação Rei Afonso Henriques, in Zamora (Spain). The congress is co-organised with this Foundation, with the support and participation of several public and private bodies from Portugal and Spain, under the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic. This academic gathering will bring together renowned specialists in medieval history from Portuguese and Spanish institutions, aiming to foster reflection and debate on key topics regarding the origins of Portugal, the dynamics of the Iberian border, and the political and religious leadership of that period. Over two days, the following topics will be addressed: • The formation of the Portuguese-Leonese border and the role of local towns; • Interactions between Christians and Muslims; • The role of the elites, the nobility and the Church; • The portrayal of King Afonso Henriques in historical and literary sources; • Cultural and religious diversity in the origins of Portuguese territory; • The role of Mozarabs and Jews in the formation of Portugal; • The importance of the sea in Portugal's affirmation as an independent kingdom.

The congress opens with the keynote lecture by historian Iñaki Martín Viso (University of Salamanca), and will feature prominent figures such as João Paulo Oliveira e Costa, Hermenegildo Fernandes, Amélia Aguiar Andrade, José Eduardo Franco, Maria João Branco, Inês Lourinho, Mário Gouveia, Jorge Martins, Isabel Ponce de Leão, Orlando Gama, Luísa Paolinelli and Filipe Alves Moreira, among many other recognised academics and researchers from Portuguese and Spanish academic institutions. The official opening session will feature remarks from representatives of the Historical Society for the Independence of Portugal and the Fundação Rei Afonso Henriques, as well as from Spanish and Portuguese authorities, including the Minister Counsellor of the Portuguese Embassy in Spain, Paulo Guedes Domingues. The presence of Ambassador José Augusto Duarte is announced for Sunday's events, on the 8th. The programme also includes, on the 7th, a closing lecture by historian João Paulo Oliveira e Costa, culminating in a closing concert by the Banda de Santana. This congress is a unique opportunity for academics, students and enthusiasts of medieval history to deepen their knowledge and build bridges of dialogue and research between Portugal and Spain, in a historically symbolic location such as Zamora. Admission is free, subject to prior registration.