Institut Nova HistòRia
Pseudohistory Promotion Case
CLASSIFICATION: Cold Case
LOCATION
Barcelona, Spain
TIME PERIOD
2007
VICTIMS
0 confirmed
The Institut Nova Història (INH), a Catalan cultural foundation based in Barcelona, was established in 2007 following a split from the Foundation of Historical Studies of Catalonia. The INH promotes a controversial narrative of Catalan history, asserting that historical figures such as Christopher Columbus and Miguel de Cervantes were Catalan, a claim widely rejected by mainstream academia. The foundation is led by prominent nationalist writer Jordi Bilbeny and is funded by the Catalan autonomous government, receiving support from various nationalist politicians. Currently, the INH continues to hold annual symposia, such as the "Symposium on the Catalan Discovery of America," to disseminate its views, despite criticism from scholars who label their work as pseudohistory. Investigative findings indicate that the INH's claims lack credible historical evidence, leading to ongoing debates about the legitimacy of their assertions within both academic and public spheres.
The Institut Nova Història posits that history has been manipulated by the Spanish state to diminish the Catalan contribution, claiming that significant historical figures such as Christopher Columbus and Miguel de Cervantes were actually Catalan. Their narratives are widely rejected by the academic community, with critics labeling their work as a "parody of history" and "cartoon satire." The foundation's activities, including symposia and publications, are supported by the Catalan autonomous government and nationalist politicians, fueling speculation about the political motivations behind their historical claims.
The Enigmatic World of Institut Nova Història
In the heart of Barcelona, the Institut Nova Història (INH) stands as a bastion of controversial historical revisionism. Founded in 2007, this Catalan cultural foundation has embarked on a mission to challenge conventional narratives, claiming that the Spanish, or "Castilian," state has systematically suppressed the contributions of Catalonia to world history since the 15th century. With Jordi Bilbeny, a fervent Catalan nationalist and writer, at the helm, the INH is committed to uncovering what they believe to be a hidden truth. Their efforts, however, have been met with skepticism and ridicule from the academic community.
A New Historical Vision
Jordi Bilbeny, the most distinguished figure of the INH, has been pivotal in propelling the foundation's theories into the spotlight. A member of the "Arenysian Movement for Self-Determination" and the Arenys de Munt's Popular Unity Candidacy, Bilbeny launched the "Symposium on the Catalan Discovery of America" in 2001. This annual event, held in Arenys de Munt, serves as a platform for presenting research that challenges traditional views on Catalan history. The symposium is just one of many initiatives by the INH to disseminate their unconventional findings through publications, conferences, documentaries, and symposia.
The Birth of Controversy
The INH's narrative begins with the assertion that Catalonia's historical significance has been intentionally obscured to bolster a centralized Spanish identity. They argue that Catalonia—or the Crown of Aragon—has been systematically erased from Spanish collective history through falsification, concealment, and censorship. Among the foundation's boldest claims is that Christopher Columbus, the renowned explorer credited with discovering the Americas, was actually a Catalan noble named Joan Colom i Bertran. This theory, originally proposed by Peruvian historian Luis Ulloa Cisneros in Paris in 1927, suggests that Columbus was forced to adopt a new identity to avoid persecution after the Catalan Civil War.
The Theories Unveiled
The INH's theories extend beyond Columbus. They purport that Erasmus of Rotterdam was actually Ferran, the second son of Joan Colom i Bertran. Hernán Cortés, the famed conquistador, is reimagined as Ferran Cortès, a Catalan noble, while Francisco Pizarro becomes Francesc Pinós De So i Carròs, and Diego de Almagro is transformed into Jaume d'Aragó-Dalmau. Even Amerigo Vespucci, the explorer whose name inspired "America," is said to be a Catalan named Despuig.
The foundation doesn't stop there. They assert that Miguel de Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote," was actually Joan Miquel Servent from Xixona, and that the original work was written in Catalan. Leonardo da Vinci, they claim, was born near Montserrat and that his famous painting, the Mona Lisa, depicts Isabella of Aragon against the backdrop of the Montserrat mountains. Other figures, such as Saint Teresa of Ávila, are reimagined as Catalan icons in a broader attempt to rewrite history.
Support and Criticism
Despite the contentious nature of these theories, the INH has found support among Catalan nationalist politicians and organizations. It receives funding from the Catalan autonomous government and collaborates with the separatist Catalan National Assembly. In 2013, the INH was awarded the Premi Nacional President Lluís Companys, a testament to its influence within certain circles.
However, the foundation's claims have been met with harsh criticism. Scholars like Alberto Reig Tapia of the University of Rovira i Virgili and Josep Colomer of Georgetown University dismiss the INH's work as a "Parody of History" and "cartoon satire." In 2019, a group of Catalan historians publicly denounced the INH, likening it to flat-Earth theories and expressing concern over its impact on public perception.
The Persistent Debate
The INH remains a polarizing force in the world of historical research. Its members continue to present their theories on major Catalan media outlets, including TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio. Yet, their claims are often dismissed as pseudoscience by critics who argue that public funds should not support such endeavors. As the debate rages on, the Institut Nova Història persists in its quest to reshape the narrative of Catalan history, undeterred by the skepticism it encounters.
Sources
For more information on the Institut Nova Història, visit the Wikipedia page.
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The Institut Nova Història (INH), a Catalan cultural foundation based in Barcelona, was established in 2007 following a split from the Foundation of Historical Studies of Catalonia. The INH promotes a controversial narrative of Catalan history, asserting that historical figures such as Christopher Columbus and Miguel de Cervantes were Catalan, a claim widely rejected by mainstream academia. The foundation is led by prominent nationalist writer Jordi Bilbeny and is funded by the Catalan autonomous government, receiving support from various nationalist politicians. Currently, the INH continues to hold annual symposia, such as the "Symposium on the Catalan Discovery of America," to disseminate its views, despite criticism from scholars who label their work as pseudohistory. Investigative findings indicate that the INH's claims lack credible historical evidence, leading to ongoing debates about the legitimacy of their assertions within both academic and public spheres.
The Institut Nova Història posits that history has been manipulated by the Spanish state to diminish the Catalan contribution, claiming that significant historical figures such as Christopher Columbus and Miguel de Cervantes were actually Catalan. Their narratives are widely rejected by the academic community, with critics labeling their work as a "parody of history" and "cartoon satire." The foundation's activities, including symposia and publications, are supported by the Catalan autonomous government and nationalist politicians, fueling speculation about the political motivations behind their historical claims.
The Enigmatic World of Institut Nova Història
In the heart of Barcelona, the Institut Nova Història (INH) stands as a bastion of controversial historical revisionism. Founded in 2007, this Catalan cultural foundation has embarked on a mission to challenge conventional narratives, claiming that the Spanish, or "Castilian," state has systematically suppressed the contributions of Catalonia to world history since the 15th century. With Jordi Bilbeny, a fervent Catalan nationalist and writer, at the helm, the INH is committed to uncovering what they believe to be a hidden truth. Their efforts, however, have been met with skepticism and ridicule from the academic community.
A New Historical Vision
Jordi Bilbeny, the most distinguished figure of the INH, has been pivotal in propelling the foundation's theories into the spotlight. A member of the "Arenysian Movement for Self-Determination" and the Arenys de Munt's Popular Unity Candidacy, Bilbeny launched the "Symposium on the Catalan Discovery of America" in 2001. This annual event, held in Arenys de Munt, serves as a platform for presenting research that challenges traditional views on Catalan history. The symposium is just one of many initiatives by the INH to disseminate their unconventional findings through publications, conferences, documentaries, and symposia.
The Birth of Controversy
The INH's narrative begins with the assertion that Catalonia's historical significance has been intentionally obscured to bolster a centralized Spanish identity. They argue that Catalonia—or the Crown of Aragon—has been systematically erased from Spanish collective history through falsification, concealment, and censorship. Among the foundation's boldest claims is that Christopher Columbus, the renowned explorer credited with discovering the Americas, was actually a Catalan noble named Joan Colom i Bertran. This theory, originally proposed by Peruvian historian Luis Ulloa Cisneros in Paris in 1927, suggests that Columbus was forced to adopt a new identity to avoid persecution after the Catalan Civil War.
The Theories Unveiled
The INH's theories extend beyond Columbus. They purport that Erasmus of Rotterdam was actually Ferran, the second son of Joan Colom i Bertran. Hernán Cortés, the famed conquistador, is reimagined as Ferran Cortès, a Catalan noble, while Francisco Pizarro becomes Francesc Pinós De So i Carròs, and Diego de Almagro is transformed into Jaume d'Aragó-Dalmau. Even Amerigo Vespucci, the explorer whose name inspired "America," is said to be a Catalan named Despuig.
The foundation doesn't stop there. They assert that Miguel de Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote," was actually Joan Miquel Servent from Xixona, and that the original work was written in Catalan. Leonardo da Vinci, they claim, was born near Montserrat and that his famous painting, the Mona Lisa, depicts Isabella of Aragon against the backdrop of the Montserrat mountains. Other figures, such as Saint Teresa of Ávila, are reimagined as Catalan icons in a broader attempt to rewrite history.
Support and Criticism
Despite the contentious nature of these theories, the INH has found support among Catalan nationalist politicians and organizations. It receives funding from the Catalan autonomous government and collaborates with the separatist Catalan National Assembly. In 2013, the INH was awarded the Premi Nacional President Lluís Companys, a testament to its influence within certain circles.
However, the foundation's claims have been met with harsh criticism. Scholars like Alberto Reig Tapia of the University of Rovira i Virgili and Josep Colomer of Georgetown University dismiss the INH's work as a "Parody of History" and "cartoon satire." In 2019, a group of Catalan historians publicly denounced the INH, likening it to flat-Earth theories and expressing concern over its impact on public perception.
The Persistent Debate
The INH remains a polarizing force in the world of historical research. Its members continue to present their theories on major Catalan media outlets, including TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio. Yet, their claims are often dismissed as pseudoscience by critics who argue that public funds should not support such endeavors. As the debate rages on, the Institut Nova Història persists in its quest to reshape the narrative of Catalan history, undeterred by the skepticism it encounters.
Sources
For more information on the Institut Nova Història, visit the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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