Online events

In his most recent book, Goth, the legendary founding member of The Cure, Lol Tolhurst (United Kingdom) returns to his origins: the music scene of the late 70s and early 80s, years when new bands were arriving: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division and, of course, The Cure. This work records the channelling of a force that goes beyond music: a community, a feeling of belonging, and something that meant the shadows and darkness –and those basslines– became a light that drew people together.

Simultaneous interpretation from English to Spanish available

Thousands of people have come to poetry thanks to the warmth of Elvira Sastre. With poetry books such as Baluarte and Aquella orilla nuestra —in addition to the novel Las vulnerabilidades— she has made poetry an everyday form of expression for a generation of readers. Here, the Spanish author will speak to Laura García, and offer the audience a poetic reading.

The story that all Mexico believed: the kidnapping of a child and the later media campaign of a mother seeking justice, which involved the highest spheres of power in the country. This was the Wallace case, when the victim became the perpetrator. In Fabricación, the journalist and writer Ricardo Raphael (Mexico) tells how a manufactured grief became a spectacle, and a manipulation of the reality, justice and the media. A true story that could have been a thriller and a systematic reminder of the impunity that haunts us.

Hay Festival Constellations creates a space for intergenerational dialogue within the Mexican cultural scene, in fields such as literature, film, music, science and architecture. Commitment to social and political causes has been something that has characterized the careers of Diego Luna and Diego del Río, who will talk to Javier Lafuente about how to raise awareness and promote change.

Deborah Levy (United Kingdom) is back with a novel in which she delves into her own life experience. August Blue is a stunning and melancholic portrait of a transformation; that of a virtuous pianist that abandons the stage at the peak of her career and embarks on a journey to the island of Poros, where she revisits her personal history and renovates her identity. After her autobiografic trilogy, Levy draws an intimate, personal and introspective text. In conversation with Brenda Navarro.

Simultaneous interpretation from English to Spanish available

In both the screenplays and novels of Guillermo Arriaga there appear many different voices. From 21 Grams, to El salvaje and Babel, his fiction is created through intertwined stories, all facets of the human identity. This can be seen once again in El Hombre, his most recent novel: six characters, speaking from different times, all related to Henry Lloyd. Human brutality, that other very Arriaga ingredient, is also present in its pages.

In order to lead a socially reasonable life, it is essential to set limits for others. This implies, at the same time, trusting oneself to respond effectively or keeping silent as the best response. The psychologist Alba Cardalda has poured her profound experience in this field into books with resounding titles: Cómo mandar a la mierda de forma educada and Cómo dejar de ser tu peor enemigo ('How to politely tell people to fuck off'). In short, we need to be clear about our criteria, show our red lines and stop them giving us advice if we don't ask for it.

Alba Cardalda is an expert psychologist in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, brief and strategic therapy and neuropsychology. For more than 10 years, she has been working in child, youth and adult therapy, both individual, couple and family therapy, and since 2017 she has been travelling around the world without a fixed residence. In addition, through her social media channels she shares tips to improve the daily well-being of her hundreds of thousands of followers.

She talks to the journalist Marta Fernández.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of her books

Event in Spanish

The international chessboard is undergoing a moment of accelerated transformation. Relations between China, the United States and Europe are the focus of geostrategic tensions, technological disputes and fundamental questions about global leadership, multilateralism and the defence of democratic values. Understanding this new geopolitics is key to interpreting the challenges of the present and projecting possible futures.

This high-level dialogue will bring together two key figures in European political thought and action. Josep Borrell, former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will contribute his diplomatic experience from the epicentre of the continent's strategic decisions. He will be accompanied by José María Beneyto, professor, jurist and author of fundamental essays on Europe and the global order, whose intellectual vision will enrich the analysis of the current situation.

During the first half of the meeting, the two will discuss the balance of power between China, the United States and Europe, the role of the European Union in a more fragmented international scenario and the keys to a coherent and effective foreign policy. In the second half, students from IE University's European Union Club, Oleksandr Mysyk, Vanessa Chioaru and Catherine Del Rio will join the conversation in an intergenerational dialogue that will highlight the voice of young people and their role in building the Europe of the future.

The event will be translated from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish

Everybody seems to like the ancient world, and everybody seems to know things better than archaeologists, philologists, and historians. Ever since the early 1970s, there’s been an avalanche of insufficiently professional publications, and the rise of the internet has enabled the reintroduction of already refuted ideas. Measured by its ability to inform the general public of new insights, the study of the ancient world is a disappointment. Fortunately, there are lessons to be learned about proactive forms of science communication.

Jona Lendering (1964) studied history in Leiden and has been writing about archaeology, history, and ancient languages ever since. He published several books and built Livius.org, which was, in the days before the Wikipedia, the largest website on Rome, Greece, Persia, and other civilizations from the distant past. Today, he maintains a daily blog on ancient history, MainzerBeobachter.com.

Jan W. Bok (1970) is a faculty member of the Global College, IE University, Madrid. Before that, he taught Political Philosophy at the Erasmus University, the Netherlands, and World Language and Literature at the Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy. He is a proud graduate from different academic institutions, including the Erasmus University of Rotterdam (History and Arts, Philosophy) and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS, Political Science) in Paris, France.

Presented by Roel Nieuwenkamp, Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands.

Event in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish

Momtaza Mehri is an award-winning writer and researcher working in the fields of poetry, criticism, education and radio. Since 2014 her work has been published in literary journals and magazines such as Granta, Poetry International, The Poetry Review, Artforum, Vogue and The Guardian.

Described by Bernardine Evaristo as ‘a truly transnational 21st century poet whose words resonate in the wider world’, Momtaza Mehri was named Young People's Laureate of London and is currently poet-in-residence at Homerton College, University of Cambridge. Her first collection of poems, Bad Diaspora Poems, was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and won the Forward 2023 Award for Best First Collection, as well as the Eric Gregory Award and the Somerset Maugham Award. The collection asks the question of what it means to write diasporic poetry, blending the experience of his own family with the stories of many others in Somalia during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Together with Violeta Gil, a theatre-maker and writer and prestigious Spanish poet of her generation, Mehri will talk about her writing and the role poetry can play in challenging a world governed by race, class and gender. The talk will be moderated by Cristina Ward, director of the Arts Department of the British Council in Spain.

At the end of the event, the authors will sign copies of their books

Event in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish

Critical reflection on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on written culture, copyright, and access to culture. The session will discuss the role of writers, translators, journalists, and publishers; the current confusion between creation and compilation of works; and the risks of cultural homogenization. The panel will be introduced and moderated by Jorge Corrales, general director of CEDRO, and will also feature Carmen Páez, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Culture; Miguel Ángel Serrano, author of the essay Androiceno. Escribir en la era de la inteligencia artificial; and the philosopher and writer Nerea Blanco Marañón.

There will be a book signing at the end of the event

Event in Spanish

At a time of dramatic transformation, Europe faces key challenges: democratic renewal, its position on the global geopolitical stage, and the exponential impact of artificial intelligence. This discussion brings together two key figures to consider the future of Europe and its role in the world. Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs and former Prime Minister of Italy, who has just published the book Europe: Last Chance —a call to action to work towards a stronger and more competitive European Union that can hold its own. He will be joined by Nick Clegg, also a strong advocate of EU integration, former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and, until recently, President of Global Affairs at Meta. He offers a unique perspective from the intersection of politics, technology and society, after years at the forefront of institutional and regulatory relations at one of the world's tech giants.

The discussion will be moderated by journalist Helena de Bertodano, an international correspondent and regular contributor to media outlets such as The Times and The Sunday Times, known for her sharp insight into the major players on the global stage. This conversation will seek to understand how Europe's values and structures are being redefined in a time marked by technological disruption and new power balances.

Presented by Sir Alex Ellis, British Ambassador to Spain, the event will be introduced by students of the IE European Union Club, Oleksandr Mysyk and Catherine del Rio.

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

As the world faces growing polarisation, democratic fragility and technological disruption, how can we rethink the institutions that bind our societies together? What kind of new social contract is needed in Europe for this era of uncertainty, what learnings for our institutions and what role should universities play in shaping it? Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs and former Prime Minister of Italy, who has just published the book Europe: Last Chance ( Europa, Ultima Oportunidad) has a forward-looking vision of the role Europe and our universities have to play in strengthening democracy, civic trust, global cooperation and competitiveness. He will engage in a deep conversation with Anne McElvoy, Executive Editor at POLITICO in Europe and host of Politics at Sam and Anne's podcast, to explore how Universities can help rebuild social cohesion and foster a renewed civic ethic in a time of global change.

Event presented by Spartaco Caldararo, Consul General of the Embassy of Italy in Spain.

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

Mexican architect Fernanda Canales has dedicated her career to reflecting on space not only as an aesthetic or functional question, but also as a political and social act. Considered one of the most lucid voices in contemporary architecture, her work is situated at the intersection between creation, research and activism. Her book The Open Classroom and her urban projects question the ways in which we inhabit and the structures that condition our cities.

In this conversation with David Goodman, Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design, they will explore the role of architecture as a tool for transforming social dynamics, rethinking public space and giving citizens back the right to imagine their environment. From the everyday to the monumental, the dialogue will focus on how to design not just buildings, but possibilities.

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

Secundino Hernández’s work hangs in some of the most prestigious private collections in the world, and he regularly exhibits with leading international galleries. Since Don and Mera Rubell acquired several of his paintings in 2013, his career has experienced steady and remarkable growth. Without a doubt, he is one of the most prominent Spanish painters working today. His artistic expression often emerges from intuition rather than a deliberate search, which leads him to take the risks that come with working without a safety net. Yet he is comfortable with uncertainty, open to exploration and the unexpected. Demanding and self-critical, he refuses to settle and continues to evolve. He believes that painting must reflect “our time” in the most personal way possible.

Hernández will discuss his life and work with Sema D’Acosta an independent curator, art critic, educator and researcher, considered one of the leading specialists in visual arts in Spain.

Event in Spanish

Hubertus von Hohenlohe, known as a ‘sportsman, globetrotter and bon vivant’, he is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative career spans photography, design, performance and media. Born into the European aristocracy and educated in philosophy and economics, he has forged a career defined by curiosity and irreverence. A Leica ambassador and permanent traveller, his photographs often blur the line between self and scene, celebrity and anonymity, turning moments into reflections of the viewer's own gaze. His work has been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Belvedere Museum (Vienna), the Hungarian National Museum, the Fundación Cajasol (Seville), Fundación Unicaja (Málaga) and the Chiostro del Bramante (Rome), among others.

Hubertus will discuss his work with Sema D’Acosta, independent curator, art critic, teacher and researcher, one of Spain's foremost specialists in photography.

Event in Spanish

Acclaimed British philosopher Anthony C. Grayling will discuss his latest book, Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars. In this timely and provocative work, British philosopher Grayling, author of more than 30 books and founder of the New College of the Humanities, explores the history and consequences of cancel culture, drawing connections between ancient ostracism and modern political and social polarisation. He argues that many so-called cultural conflicts do not arise from conflicting rights, but from the clash between vested interests and fundamental freedoms.

Following his presentation, AC Grayling will converse with Martin Ivens, journalist, editor of The Times Literary Supplement and former editor of The Sunday Times.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish

Rob Riemen (Netherlands) is an essayist, philosopher and director of the Nexus Institute, through which he aims to generate spaces for debate and keep alive the principles of European humanism. He is the author of books such as Nobility of Spirit and The Art of Being Human. He believes that Europe is at a complex crossroads. One that has to do with the loss of memory of the principles of duty, freedom, justice and even love for others. There are no magic formulas, but Riemen appeals to the 'nobility of spirit' to return to the democratic ideal; and he proposes to do so through philosophers —both classical and contemporary— and leading intellectuals such as Thomas Mann and Albert Camus.

He will talk about all this with Jesús García Calero, director of ABC Cultural. He specialises in heritage information and dissemination.

The event will be presented by Hannah Schildt, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Spain.

At the end of the event, the author will sign copies of his books

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish

Giles Tremlett is a British historian, journalist and author, widely recognised for his work on Spain and its contemporary history. He has written extensively on the Spanish Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, and the role of Spain in Europe, including acclaimed biographies of Isabel the Catholic and Catalina of Aragón. A contributing writer for The Guardian and former correspondent for The Economist, Tremlett has become one of the foremost foreign voices interpreting Spain’s recent past.

His most recent book, Franco. El dictador que moldeó un país (Franco: The Dictator Who Shaped a Country), offers a compelling portrait of the man who ruled Spain for four decades and whose legacy continues to shape the present.

In conversation with María José Ferrari, Professor and Director of the Chair of Hispanic Cultures at IE University, Tremlett will reflect on the enduring challenges of interpreting history, the tensions between memory and historiography, and the relevance of Spain’s past for today’s Europe.

Event in Spanish

For decades, the transatlantic relationship has been a cornerstone of Western stability, built on shared values and strategic interests. Today, diverging priorities, cultural misunderstandings, and shifting global power threaten to turn a shared horizon into a widening gulf.

This debate brings together Carlos Franganillo, journalist, anchor of TV News at Telecinco and former foreign correspondent in the US and Rusia; Radka Denemarková, acclaimed Czech novelist and essayist known for her sharp insights on democracy and human rights; Amanda Sloat, former Senior Director for Europe at the US National Security Council with deep expertise in transatlantic relations; and Barney Jopson, Financial Times Spain & Portugal correspondent with two decades of geopolitical reporting.

In conversation with Frederick Studemann, Literary Editor of the Financial Times, they will ask whether the US and Europe are undergoing a necessary evolution —or facing an irreversible divorce.

Event in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish