The Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beato de Liébana and the Book of Kells: The roots of Europe’s Bibliographic Legacy
We are pleased to announce the 1st Bibliographical Roots of European Heritage Congress, an event that seeks to place the region of Cantabria (Spain) at the heart of the great cultural and religious processes that shaped Europe’s common identity.
Through the figure of Beato de Liébana, Cantabria made a decisive contribution to the spirituality, culture, and heritage of the Old Continent. For the first time within a single academic forum, two of the most significant masterpieces of medieval bibliography and iconography will be studied side by side: the Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beato de Liébana—an extraordinary treasure that spread widely across the scriptoria of the Iberian Peninsula, France, and Italy—and the Book of Kells, a jewel of the Insular Hiberno-Saxon tradition. This unprecedented gathering will bring together leading international scholars to reaffirm the role of these two codices as cornerstones of Europe’s bibliographic heritage.
The Congress will also serve to highlight Cantabria as a historic land of pilgrimage and the cradle of the cult of St. James the Apostle. An unmissable event for all those wishing to explore the profound spiritual and cultural roots that underpin European identity.
We look forward to welcoming you on 30 and 31 October to enjoy this unique opportunity to delve into the manuscripts that left their mark on medieval Europe!
Programme
Download programme in English | Download programme in Spanish
Thursday 30 October – Potes
09:00 | Inaugural session with the European Commissioner for Culture.
09:30 | Lecture: The Commentary on the Apocalypse of Beatus of Liébana: The Image Beyond the Text, by Prof. Dr. Manuel Castiñeiras.
10:30 | Lecture: The Book of Kells: Art and Theology in 8th-Century Insular Europe, by Dr. Bernard Meehan.
12:00 | Visit to the Monastery of Santo Toribio and the Lignum Crucis. Encounter with the President of the Confraternity of the Santísima Cruz (founded in 1181).
15:30 | Lecture: A Medieval Atlantic World: Art as Shared European Heritage, by Prof. Dr. Justin Kroesen.
16:30 | Round Table: The European Dimension of Cantabria’s Religious Heritage and Its Contribution to Europe’s Cultural Legacy.
Moderated by Pilar G. Bahamonde, Director of the Fundación Camino Lebaniego. Panelists: Stefan Beier, Chiara Curti, Lilian Grootswagers, Sarah de Lencquesaing, Andrea Longhi, Justin Kroesen, Michael Mail, Patty Wageman (Council members of FRH – Future for Religious Heritage).
19:00 | Guided visit to the Torre del Infantado: Collection of Beatus Manuscripts.
Friday, 31 October – Santander
10:30 | Guided visit to the Cathedral of Santander and/or Espacio Banco Santander.
12:30 | Closing of the International Congress.
Hybrid event
For those interested in attending the event in person, participation is free of charge, but registration is required by 24 October through the following form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=p6Eru6a84ESGde8HFnzR7vRBOTpRvgpBqGmeRX2bcZlUOTNaRVExQUY0U0lDSE5VQlUxMDIwUTlYTy4u&route=shorturl
The event will be livestreamed on 30 October for those who wish to follow it online. The link will be shared the day before the event.
This two day congress is organised by the Fundación Camino Lebaniego in collaboration with Future for Religious Heritage (FRH), Banco Santander, Diócesis de Santander, the Liebana Centre for Studies, and the Government of Cantabria.
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