Research, music, and learning: a summer of activities at Yuste
Carlos V European Award Doctoral Seminar
From 23 to 26 June, the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste hosted the Carlos V European Award Doctoral Seminar on Multidisciplinary Studies on Contemporary Europe – Angela Merkel, organised by the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation.
Held under the theme “The Fortune of Being United: Securing and Strengthening Europe’s Cohesion”, the seminar brought together 18 researchers from 15 universities in Cuba, Spain, Bulgaria, and Malaysia, alongside experts from Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Serbia, and Peru.
The aim was to debate and analyse cohesion policy as a cornerstone of the European integration process, looking at its economic impact as well as its social and territorial dimensions. Topics discussed included:
- the impact of cohesion policy on EU legitimacy and freedom of movement,
- how healthcare systems are preparing for future pandemics,
- and the EU’s cooperation with third countries on migration issues.
The selected researchers have now joined the Euro-Ibero-American Alumni Network of Yuste, which connects more than 100 scholars from across Europe and Latin America who have received Carlos V European Award scholarships. Their papers will be published in the Cuadernos de Yuste series.
Concert by the Masa Coral de Mineros de Almadén
On Saturday, 28 June, the Masa Coral de Mineros de Almadén performed a special concert in the church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste. The event was organised by the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation, Minas de Almadén – Parque Minero, and Patrimonio Nacional.
The performance marked the anniversary of the Minas de Almadén’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The repertoire included traditional mining songs, seguidillas manchegas, Marian chants, and other melodies once sung by miners at work.
This cultural event formed part of the project “Integrating European Values into Cultural Heritage”, co-financed by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme under the European Heritage Label, with the collaboration of the EHL Bureau.
Campus Yuste Training Programme
Throughout July, the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste also welcomed over 300 students from 16 countries – including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United States, and Uruguay – for the Campus Yuste training programme, part of the University of Extremadura’s International Summer/Autumn Courses.
This year’s courses addressed a diverse set of themes:
- 40 Years Since Spain Joined the European Economic Community
- Preparing Spain’s Transition to Democracy
- The New World Order and the Atlantic Axis
- Health, Illness, and Nutrition During the Reign of Charles V
The programme explored pressing contemporary issues – from Spain’s EU accession and democratic transition to transatlantic geopolitics – while also reflecting on historical perspectives.
Combining lectures and panel discussions in the symbolic setting of Yuste, Campus Yuste provided university students, researchers, and professionals with an interdisciplinary learning experience on European integration, Europe–Latin America relations, global challenges, and the legacy of Emperor Charles V. Participants could attend either in person or online.
