Exploring End Times and New Beginnings „Una Jornada Apocalíptica“
On 18 September in Bogotá, Colombia, the History Department of Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) hosted “Una Jornada Apocalíptica,” a day-long academic event that convened students, faculty, artists, and scholars from various institutions to explore apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic imaginaries as historical narratives. The initiative, led by Prof. Paolo Vignolo—professor at the History Department, former CAPAS fellow and current director of the Laboratorio de Cartografía Histórica e Historia Digital (CaHID)— included the visit of CAPAS director Prof. Robert Folger as key note speaker and Fellowship Manager Laura Mendoza as moderator.
The event opened with two interactive workshops, mostly attended by undergraduate and graduate students from the history department. Drawing on Fredric Jameson’s Archaeologies of the Future: The Desire Called Utopia and Other Science Fictions (2005), the workshop “Arqueologías del Futuro” examined Utopia and Dystopia as fundamental concepts shaping the way societies construct and envision narratives about the end(s) of world(s) and their aftermath(s). Focusing on the Latin American context and incorporating student contributions on Colombian realities, the workshop evolved into a critical discussion. Students analyzed utopian scenarios as a framework to examine and question existing socio-economic structures, emphasizing the dual role of Latin American history as both a record of persistent structural challenges and a repository of critical insights for envisioning futures beyond the limitations of the contemporary reality (alternative futures).
A particularly inspiring aspect of the workshop was the exploration of how Western-style utopias—historically dominant in Latin America—have validated neoliberal and modern political agendas while clashing with the lived realities of inequality. These discussions underscored how such ideals, rather than alleviating systemic injustices, often reinforce them. The workshop thus became a reflective space for questioning the socio-political dynamics of the region and the historian's role in addressing them.
The day continued with the afternoon panel on "Apocalyptic Imaginaries as Historical Narratives.” The first speaker, Professor Carlos Guillermo Páramo—a historian, anthropologist and Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences at UNAL—presented "los bailes del fin del mundo: Coreomanías y el poder Waka(n) en los Andes centrales y las grandes planicies estadounidenses". His presentation explored the phenomenon of choreomanias—dance epidemics in communities facing existential threats or profound spiritual crises. Using the indigenous concept of Pachacuti, an Andean term signifying a world turned upside down, leading to renewal and transformation, he emphasized how dances and songs were instrumental for expressing collective fear, hope, and the desire for renewal. Prof. Páramo pointed to the idea that the apocalypse could be both an end and a beginning, in order to prompt attendees to consider how modern societies might also seek renewal in times of upheaval.
The second presentation, an interdisciplinary collaboration between Professor Patricia Zalamea, an art historian and former Dean at the Universidad de Los Andes, and Dr. Martha Vives, a biologist from the same institution, was titled Iconografías de la pandemia: Imágenes apocalípticas en la era del COVID. They examined how visual representations during the COVID-19 pandemic shaped public perceptions. They showcased a variety of images—from haunting photographs of empty streets to memes that circulated globally. By juxtaposing haunting images of empty streets with widely shared memes, and highlighting similarities with visual documentation of earlier pandemics, they argued that imagery not only chronicles crises but actively influences societal understandings of them.
The final talk of the afternoon panel was delivered by the organizer: Prof. Paolo Vignolo. In his presentation, "El fin de la historia a través de la Conquista del mundo: Paradojas de una obsesión occidental," he argued that the Western fixation on linear progress culminating in an ultimate end, i.e. Western narratives of the apocalypse, has paradoxically fueled both colonial expansion and a perpetual sense of incompletion. He challenged the audience to consider how these narratives have marginalized other cultures' cyclical or regenerative understandings of time. He argues that the conquest of the "New World" was not only a geographical endeavor, but also an imposition of a particular historical narrative—one that envisions history as finite and terminal rather than ongoing and cyclical.
The panel concluded with a brief exchange with a Q&A session. Highlighting CAPAS’s work on how apocalyptic experiences manifest across different scales, the moderator referred to the previous talks in order to exemplify the different levels of experiencing an apocalypse: personal fears as drivers of perception during a crisis such as a pandemic; the shared experiences of a community which embraces the ritual of dancing as cyclical renewal; and the colonization project as the cause of larger crises at a global scale.
As theevening approached, attendees reconvened in the Oval Hall for a special screening of the CAPAS documentary: "Imagining the End of Times: Mexican Apocalypses”. The screening was introduced by Dr. Adolfo Mantilla Osornio, former CAPAS fellow and curator of the exhibition presented in the documentary.
The film bridged academic discussions with artistic and cultural narratives. It showcased how the intersection of history and art deepens our understanding of apocalyptic imaginaries within the Mexican context, offering powerful insights into how cultural artifacts reflect societal anxieties about endings.
The day's formal proceedings culminated with an evening lecture by Professor Robert Folger, titled "Post-Apocalipsis." Shifting the focus from endings to their aftermaths, Prof. Folger explored how societies reconstruct their identities and narratives after catastrophic events, and emphasized the role of storytelling in redefining communities. He posited that post-apocalyptic narratives are not merely speculative fiction, but vital frameworks through which societies process trauma and envision pathways forward. The talk reminded the audience that with every ending comes the potential for rebirth.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Vignolo, his team, the speakers, and all participants who contributed to the success of the "Jornada Apocalíptica.” CAPAS’ participation in these events is vital to reinforcing the transdisciplinary and international ethos central to CAPAS’ research agenda. On the one hand, this collaboration provided valuable insights into the interdisciplinary approach and perspectives adopted by the History Department of the UNAL in response to the needs of the particular Colombian History. On the other hand, CAPAS’ efforts to examine apocalyptic narratives in all world(s) will continue to be enriched through engagement with the valuable scholarly work from the Global South. The pragmatic, experience-based approach inherent in Latin American and Global South scholarship is indespensablefor advancing research at a meaningful level—one that aligns with CAPAS’ commitment to fostering a global and inclusive understanding of the Apocalypse and Post-Apocalypse.