It was hot. HOT. Rome in mid-July. Still, the 16th Triennial Conference of the AIH (International Association of Hispanists), hosted by the largest university in Europe (La Sapienza), brought together nearly 600 scholars to discuss Spanish literature, culture, and language from medieval times to today. The fan —a gift to all members— turned out to be the hit of the conference.
Even with the suffocating temperatures (did I say it was HOT??!!), Rome is gorgeous, and the organizers opened many doors to us that the public never sees. The work days were long, but at night we played.
Before it all began, I trooped off to Zaha Hadid's new MAXXI (Museum of Modern Art), not easy to find (it's not on any maps yet, since it opened just two months ago) but worth the hunt: stunning building, impressive collection.
The first night, a couple of us went to an outdoor concert (Chopin) at the Antico Teatro Marcello.
On Sunday, after a long meeting of the Executive Committee (I served as Vice President), the Spanish Ambassador to the Italian State, D. Luis Calvo, hosted a reception on the terrace of his residence, perched high on the Gianicolo Hill and overlooking all of Rome. We ate, drank, and chatted as the sun set on the city.
Following the official inauguration of the meeting, the Executive Committee enjoyed lunch with the President of the University of Rome and D. Carlos de Zurita, Duke of Soria (he is married to Da. Margarita de Borbón, the King's sister, who was, unfortunately, indisposed).
That evening, the mayor of Rome invited us to a dinner on the spectacular Terraza Coeli of the Vittorio Emanuele monument, which overlooks the Forum and the Colosseum. An elevator ride to the very top of the huge monument produces a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Following dinner, we had a night bus tour of Rome's Greatest Hits, which was welcome not only because of the beauty of this monumental city, but because of the breeze generated (did I tell you it was HOT??!!) as we drove by the Vatican, the Castelo Sant'Angelo, the Forum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Frountain, the Via Veneto, the Piazza della Repubblica, the Campidoglio, the Triton Fountain, the Piazza del Populo, Trastevere, etc.
Tuesday evening we enjoyed Rolena Adorno's plenary speech in the beautiful rooms of the palace that now serves as the offices of the Latin American Institute. A reception followed, and then we returned to the Casa dell'Aviatore where we had dinner in the garden.
It goes on. (Did I mention it was HOT??!!). Wednesday night took us to a reception at the Spanish Ambassador to the Vatican's palace, next to the Spanish Steps. The palace contains copies of Madrazo and Goya, as well as original Bernini busts, one of which ("Fura") is "worth more than the entire palace," in the words of Ambassador Manuel Vázquez y Vázquez.
The Jesuit Università Gregoriana (founded 1553) hosted Thursday afternoon's sessions and new elections (I was voted Vice President for another three-year term; Michael Gerli was elected Treasurer for another term as well -- great coup, UVa!).
Friday night, after a long day of sessions, we were treated to a flamenco and tarantella show/dinner at the University.
The final official events took place Saturday morning, and then a few of us topped the week off at an out-door performance of Verdi's "Aida" at the Terme di Caracalla.
2013: BUENOS AIRES!
