The Macaronesian region, comprising the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde, represents a unique transatlantic cultural and geographical space shaped by island geography, historical connectivity, and contemporary intercultural dynamics. Despite their distinct political and linguistic contexts, these archipelagos share deep cultural resonances expressed through oral traditions, music, language contact, and collective identity formation. This paper explores Macaronesia as a unified cultural space, examining how island identities are constructed, negotiated, and transformed across the four archipelagos. It focuses on cultural hybridity, memory, and identity as central elements in shaping contemporary Macaronesian cultural expression. Drawing on comparative cultural analysis, the study highlights the role of music, language, and artistic practices in maintaining cultural continuity while also reflecting processes of change and globalisation. Particular attention is given to the interaction between Portuguese, Spanish, and Cape Verdean Creole-speaking contexts, and how linguistic diversity contributes to cultural identity formation. The paper argues that Macaronesia functions as a dynamic intercultural space where European, African, and Atlantic influences intersect, producing a distinctive cultural ecosystem. It further proposes that this region offers a valuable framework for rethinking cultural identity beyond continental boundaries, emphasising fluidity, hybridity, and relational belonging. Ultimately, the study positions Macaronesia not only as a geographical designation but as a cultural construct that can contribute to broader discussions on identity, postcoloniality, and intercultural dialogue in island societies.

Authors:
Susana Gramilho, Universidade da Madeira, Portugal

About the Presenter(s)
Susana Gramilho, Honorary Consul of Cabo Verde in Madeira and President of APMM, focuses on Macaronesia, cultural diplomacy, and regional development; she is also founder of the youth social initiative “Juntos por Sorrisos”.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susana-gramilho-7041721aa

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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