National Landscapes in the Global World

Territory is a key element when analyzing nations and landscapes, since geography can produce and reproduce national identities as space is perceived, experienced and transformed in a specific cultural, linguistic and political context. Although landscapes are recognized as the outcome of natural and cultural processes, it is impossible to think about them without also recognizing the human imprint and its symbolic meanings. In this regard, nations and landscapes are strongly connected. In this global era, stateless nations have to struggle not only for political space, but also for the recognition of their own landscapes, which mirror their cultural and linguistic constructions.

The aim of the conference is to reflect on the mutual relationship between the construction of landscapes and nations and the cultural and political consequences that can be inferred in the global world. For stateless nations, landscapes tend to be linked to environmentalism, the vindication of their identity and the continuity of rural areas – connections that seem absent in contexts of nations states. How can stateless nations defend and protect the multiplicity of landscapes associated to their identity without state administration? While nation states have found ways to preserve their landscapes in the form of monumental spaces and national parks, such processes in stateless nations necessitate further discussion.

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Program & Keynote Speakers

9:30-10:00 Opening session

• José Pereira Fariña, Vice-rector of Communication and Coordination of the University of Santiago de Compostela
• Francisco Durán Villa, Dean of the Faculty of Geography and History
• Xabier Macías, President of Centre Mauritus Coppieters

10:00-10:45 Landscapes and Nations as Cultural and Political Outcomes: A Discussion Focused on the Global World

• Joan Vicente, Professor, University of Girona

10:45-11:45 How Many Possible National Landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula? The Vision from Geography

• The Case of the Balearic Islands: Onofre Rullan, full Professor at University of Illes Balears
• The Case of the Valencian Country: Josep Boira, Professor at University of Valencia and Secretary of Housing, Public Works and Spatial Planning at the Valencian Government

12:15-13:15 How many Possible National Landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula? The Vision from Literature

• The Case of Galicia: Carmen Fernández Pérez-Sanjulián, Professor, University of A Coruña
• The Case of the Basque Country: Paulo Kortazar, Researcher, University of the Basque Country

13:15-13:30 Open debate

15:30-16:30 Looking to the European Context: Stateless Nations and Landscapes, How to Preserve them in the Contemporary World

• A Perspective from Wales: Alan Sandry, Fellow of the European Institute of Identities, Swansea University
• A Perspective from Galicia: Valerià Paül, Lecturer, University of Santiago de Compostela

16:30-17:30 Landscape Planning 

• The Vision from Catalonia: Pere Sala, Coordinator of the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia
• The Vision from Galicia: Inés Santé, Director of the Galician Institute for Territorial Studies

17:30-18:30 Round Table: Political Consequences of the Defence of National Landscapes

• Speakers: Joan Vicente, Onofre Rullan, Alan Sandry, Valerià Paül, Pere Sala, Inés Santé
• Moderator: Rubén C. Lois, Full Professor, University of Santiago de Compostela

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Download the easy to print program “National Landscapes in the Global World/Paisaxes Nacionais no Mundo Global” here.

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Practicalities

When: 3rd April 2017

Where: University of Santiago de Compostela, Facultade de Xeografía e Historia, Sala de Profesores, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

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Registration

Do you plan to attend? Please send an email to info@ideasforeurope.eu. No registration fees.

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Press

Media inquiries can be addressed to info@ideasforeurope.eu or via Twitter @IdeasForEurope

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Get involved

Share your views and information about the events on our Facebook Event Page and join the debate by following the twitter hashtag #NationalLandscapes.

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This Conference is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the conference or the opinions of the speakers.

This conference is an initiative of the Centre Maurits Coppieters and the Universty of Santiago de Compostela.