Latinity and Modernity: Cultural Identities and Transnational Exchange in a Globalizing World

This article introduces the concept of Latinity as a central term in shaping debates about modernity, progress and cultural identities in Southern Europe and Latin America since the mid-nineteenth century. During this time, Latin countries struggled with their perceived decline in the face of rising global powers. In the midst of rapid globalization, technological advancements and shifting political dynamics, Latin intellectuals revisited their cultural identities and Latinity's role in the modern world. This reflection, inherently transnational but adapted to local contexts, was often framed by a barbarism-civilization dichotomy rooted in ancient and premodern ideas of Hellenicity, Romanitas and Latinitas. These legacies evolved to shape pan-Latinism and various cultural, political and ideological projects. This introductory article provides a comprehensive overview of recent scholarship on Latinity and presents the key themes explored by the contributors throughout the remainder of this special issue.