Harvard Scholar Robert Darnton Recognized at UNAM International Colloquium

María Andrea Giovine Yáñez, Director of UNAM’s Institute for Bibliographic Research, inaugurated the International Colloquium in Honor of Robert Darnton. The event celebrated his distinguished career as a historian, writer, professor, and former Director of the Harvard University Library. Giovine Yáñez highlighted Darnton’s profound contributions to critical thought through his scholarship and teaching.

She emphasized his role in fostering intellectual debate, particularly in addressing global challenges to democracy and freedom of expression.

More than a tribute, the colloquium was a platform for academic and cultural exchange. Darnton’s presence at Mexico’s National Library enriched discussions on the cultural history of books and reinforced the essential role of reading in shaping and transforming society.

Fiorella Mancini, Academic Secretary of UNAM’s Humanities Institute, underscored Darnton’s focus on reading as a social practice and his exploration of the cultural history of books. She noted that his research consistently examines books, readers, and the literary world, shedding light on the intricate dynamics between censorship, freedom of expression, and power.

Mancini also highlighted Darnton’s nuanced approach to censorship, which goes beyond condemnation to analyze its mechanisms and effects. She pointed out his insights into the particular vulnerability of authoritarian regimes to the power of words and ideas. This observation remains especially relevant in North America and beyond, where challenges to freedom of expression persist.