King Felipe traveled to Arequipa, Peru, to preside over the inauguration of the 10th International Congress of the Spanish Language, a gathering of experts, writers, and academics from around the world.
His arrival was met with honors, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Latin America, Susana Sumelzo, and welcomed by the regional governor, Rohel Sánchez.
On this occasion, Arequipa—the birthplace of the late writer Mario Vargas Llosa—has become the center of debate on the future of the Spanish language, interculturalism, and artificial intelligence.
Before the opening ceremony, the monarch visited the Vargas Llosa House Museum, a space dedicated to the literary and personal legacy of the Peruvian Nobel Prize winner.
There, he toured the rooms that tell the story of the writer’s life through photographs, manuscripts, and first editions. He was accompanied by Luis Llosa, the author’s cousin, and Morgana Vargas Llosa, his daughter.
The visit felt intimate, almost familial, and served as a reminder of the long-standing connection between the Crown and Latin American culture.
The main day of the congress was held at the Municipal Theater of Arequipa, where the King presided over the opening ceremony alongside prominent figures from academia.
In his speech, Felipe VI emphasized that this meeting is “a conversation about what unites us, not what divides us,” sending a message of harmony and cooperation from Peru.
His words were warmly received, in an atmosphere celebrating the common language that unites over 500 million people.
Following the ceremony, the monarch attended a luncheon at the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, an architectural gem in Arequipa that he also briefly visited.
Through this trip, the King strengthens Spain’s cultural presence in Latin America and celebrates the power of language as a bridge between generations, territories, and traditions.
It was undoubtedly a visit filled with symbolism and respect for our shared heritage.