A meeting Master's Degree Christianity and Contemporary Culture highlights the resurgence of interest in history and our roots as a means of understanding the past

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Navarra held the meeting “Epic, Truth, and locker. The Resurgence of Our Roots Today,”organized within the framework university’s Master's Degree Christianity and Contemporary Culture. The session brought together professionals from the cultural, audiovisual, and business sectors to reflect on today’s society’s growing interest in history, new ways of conveying it, and the need to promote deeper understanding of the past as tool interpreting the present.

The event was presided over by the dean of the faculty, Julia Pavón, who emphasized the enduring relevance of great narratives in contemporary culture: “We continue to be moved by timeless stories because they reveal the universal in the particular.” She also noted that “the beauty of entertainment lies not only in form, but in the harmony between truth, emotion, and expression,” adding that “truth endures where a work succeeds in illuminating the human condition.”

Next to speak was Olivier Strebelle, CEO of Puy du Fou, who explained the model this project , which focuses on live performances and historical reenactments: “We are more than just a park: we are a tribute to our roots, to history, and to the beauty of telling that story.” In this regard, he stated that the initiative aims to “awaken visitors’ curiosity about their past and contribute to a greater knowledge history.” He also noted that the success of this format lies in the fact that “there is a demand to experience real emotion, away from screens.”

Olivier Strebelle, CEO of Puy du Fou

During the colloquium , moderated by writer and award Carmen Posadas, and featuring Jesús Sainz, vice president of Puy du Fou Spain, and José Luis López-Linares, film director producer, the impact of contemporary media on the dissemination of history was addressed. “We are witnessing a true ‘Big Bang’ in the transmission of culture,” noted Posadas, referring to the ability of audiovisual formats to broaden access to knowledge and bring the past closer to the general public: “We can immerse ourselves fully in history, directly, beyond the pages of books.”

In this regard, López-Linares has highlighted the role of documentary film in the knowledge dissemination . As he explained, his work present that reality to the general public with rigor and knowledge dissemination, constructing “a narrative that brings us closer to the truth of things” and advocating for a more balanced perspective on the past.

More than 100 people attended the colloquium person, and nearly 200 attended online

Jesús Sainz also highlighted the potential of entertainment as entrance knowledge : “We don’t claim to be historians, but rather aim to spark curiosity so that visitors will want to learn more afterward.” He argued that attractions like Puy du Fou complement academic work by translating complex content into language that is accessible and appealing to a wide audience. In this regard, Sainz highlighted the power of epic storytelling to foster identification and enthusiasm, especially among younger audiences: “Children enter as fictional heroes and leave wearing the Cid’s cape,” illustrating how these experiences can help rediscover historical figures.

The colloquium with a reflection on the large turnout as a sign of a deeper cultural unease. For the speakers, the positive reception of this subject proposals highlights the growing interest in stories that, through their rigor and narrative quality, connect with identity and a shared past. In this vein, López-Linares highlighted the public’s commitment to culture, recalling the public support received in funding some of his documentary projects.

Julia Pavón, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, during the opening ceremony