Making a SPLAS (Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies)

The first chair of Spanish Studies in the UK was established at UCL and held from 1828-30 by the liberal exile, Antonio Alcalá Galiano, a friend of Jeremy Bentham and supporter of the anti-absolutist 1812 Constitution of Cadiz.

This event for UCL’s 200th anniversary is very much a celebration of our students past and present, aimed at our alumni. It will include the screening of a documentary about Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at UCL, a panel on contemporary fiction with novelist Marta Perez Carbonell and her translator, UCL alumna, Rosalind Harvey, alongside presentations by staff and students celebrating our past, present and future, and reflecting on the challenges facing our discipline.

4 – 4.30pm: Arrival and Welcome. Brief remarks from current SPLAS Director.

In this session we will reflect on contemporary Spanish fiction, its international reception and the problems and possibilities for translation and internationalisation.

Marta Pérez Carbonell, / (Penguin Random House), her translator UCL alumna Rosalind Harvey, Special Guest Victor Ugarte (Director of the Instituto Cervantes). Chair: Mazal Oaknin.

A novel that reflects on autofiction, the limits between the private and public, fiction and life, the relationship between stories and memory, and the ethics of revealing what others tell us.

The novelist Marta Pérez Carbonell has a PhD from Royal Holloway on the fiction of Javier Marías. In the Q&A, we want to reflect on the contemporary state of Spanish fiction, discuss the importance and difficulties for professional translators, think about what does and does not get translated and why, followed by a Q&A.

5.35 – 5.45 Break

We will begin this reflection on our history with a screening of a short documentary followed by a panel discussion about Spanish liberalism and the origins and history of Spanish at UCL and in the UK. With Dr Gregorio Alonso (liberal exile), Dr Adrian Pearce (Latin America and Britain early 19th century, revolutionary exile), Dr Blanca Gomez Garcia (Republican exile in 20th century). Chair: Gareth Wood.

Each speaker will give a short presentation, followed by questions from the chair, and then a Q&A.

6.50 – 7 Break

In the final session, we want to showcase the amazing work of our staff and students, with a particular focus on new forms including the filmic essay. From the importance of social activism in our research to the teaching of documentary film making skills and student projects that are part of the language learning programme.

• Professor Deborah Martin film essay Not at Home.
• Professor Stephen Hart Costa Rica Documentary Film School.
• Student showcase – Golden Age drama video essay projects and the digital storytelling festival to AdCon cortometrajes and student films.
• Future of the Discipline: Plenary Q&A discussion, chaired by Niall Geraghty.

7.50 – late. Reception in Foster Court G20

All are welcome, but we are particularly keen to welcome back former students and alumni.

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