44th International Conference of the International Institute of Ibero-American Literature

The 44^th Conference of the International Institute of Ibero-American Literature (Instituto Internacional de Literatura Iberoamericana – IILI), the world’s largest organization for Latin American literature and culture, based at the University of Pittsburgh, USA, concluded on Saturday, 8 July 2023. Organized by the NKUA’s Department of Spanish Language and Literature, the Conference was titled ‘Disciplinary Crossings’.

Over 400 speakers, researchers, and students across the world attended the opening ceremony of the Conference (5 July 2023), which was honoured with the presence of Ambassadors from 5 Latin American countries (Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Panama) and representatives of other Latin American diplomatic missions and Spain.

The opening ceremony was addressed by the Rector of NKUA, Professor Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos, the Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Dimitrios Karadimas, the Dean of the School of Philosophy, Professor Achilleas Chaldaeakes, the President of IILI and Professor at the City University of New York, Mr Fernando Degiovanni, the Honorary President of the Conference, Professor Emeritus Efthimia Pandis-Pavlakis, the Chair of the NKUA’s Department of Spanish Language and Literature, Professor Anthi Papageorgiou, and the President of the Organizing Committee, Professor Dimitrios Drosos. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps, the opening ceremony was addressed by the Dean of the Ambassadors of the Latin American and Caribbean Countries in Greece, the Ambassador of Panama in Greece, Ms Julie Lymberopulos Cosiori.

During the four days of the Conference, there were 122 sessions held in the welcoming rooms of the Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre. Participants included over 600 globally renowned scholars and researchers from more than 30 European, North and South American, Asian, and African countries. This number of participants is of great importance for the internationalization of the Department of Spanish Language and Literature and NKUA. Such events also encourage conference tourism by bringing a sizable influx of visitors from around the globe to our nation.

IILI’s 44^th Conference aimed for an interdisciplinary approach to Latin American and Caribbean literature (literature, history, science, economy, politics, and society). Participants were encouraged to cross the boundaries of their disciplines, search for new methods and tools in other fields, and build interdisciplinary bridges to advance knowledge. This major Conference—possibly the most important yearly Conference in Latin American Studies—helped improve research and strengthen relationships amongst academic teams from across our planet.

The confidence that IILI placed in the Department of Spanish Language and Literature by entrusting it with organizing its 44^th Conference is tangible proof of our country’s recognition concerning research and the production of knowledge in Latin American literature and culture. Moreover, it is a great honour and distinction for the NKUA’s Department of Spanish Language and Literature and the President of the Conference.

On Saturday, 8 July 2023, a recital of Latin American music by soprano Ms Ada Athanasopoulou, a graduate of the Master’s Programme of the Department of Spanish Language and Literature, marked the end of the Conference. During the closing ceremony, the Conference President, Professor Dimitrios Drosos, announced Lima’s Pontifical Catholic University of Peru as the host for IILI’s International Conference for 2025.