CajaCanarias Launches Series Linking Ancient Greek Thought to Modern Political Challenges
The CajaCanarias Foundation is hosting a series of conferences and performances in Santa Cruz de Tenerife exploring the relevance of ancient Greek political thought to the challenges facing modern European democracies.
The relevance of ancient Greek thought in understanding today’s political divisions is once again the focus of intellectual debate in the Canary Islands. The CajaCanarias Foundation has announced a new series of conferences and performances titled Polis: From Antiquity to Present-Day Europe. The initiative aims to connect classical models of government with the challenges currently facing Western democracies.
The program will be held at the Cultural Space in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on October 29 and November 4 and 5. It explores the balance between the exercise of power, legal frameworks, and the role of citizens.
The series begins on October 29 at 7:00 p.m. with a talk by Adolfo J. Domínguez Monedero, a Professor of Ancient History at the Autonomous University of Madrid. He will discuss the origins of Greek political structures and how they historically protected participatory systems from internal and external threats.
On November 4 at 7:00 p.m., María José Hidalgo de la Vega, a professor at the University of Salamanca, will shift the focus to the historical figure of Zenobia, the 3rd-century ruler of Palmyra. Her presentation will examine Zenobia’s challenge to Roman power, tracing her political rise, fall, and eventual captivity.
The series concludes on November 5 at 8:00 p.m. with a performance of the musical Échale la culpa a Pandora (Blame it on Pandora). Directed by Daniel Rodríguez, with music by Enrique Fernández-Villamil Menéndez, the show rounds out an agenda that blends academic discussion with the performing arts.
Attendance at the conferences is free until capacity is reached, while tickets for the theatrical performance are five euros. Further details and ticket information are available at www.cajacanarias.com. These events highlight how history can serve as a vital tool for understanding the fragility of modern institutions during a time of political uncertainty in Europe.