Lisbon Congress Reflections
We just came back from the 54th IPA Congress in Lisbon, Portugal in which we discussed “
Psychoanalysis: An Anchor in Chaotic Times.” Our congress topic immersed us in the experience of the world today, a world marked by environmental crises, war, forced migration, technological acceleration, and a redefinition of identity itself.
Almost 1,900 registrants from 40 countries met in Lisbon to participate in our program with more than 220 sessions. We opened it with a main presentation from Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a clinical psychologist, researcher, and recipient of the Templeton Prize, who spoke about trauma, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
In the following days, four regional keynote speakers, brought their perspectives from different parts of the world.
Stephen Seligman from North America, presented on
Theory Today: Sexuality, Aggression, and Trauma;
Elisardo César Merea, from Latin America, spoke on
Psychic Life in Environmental Catastrophe;
Tomas Plaenkers from Europe, discussed the
Specificity of Psychoanalytic Work across Cultures; and
Sun Ju Chung from the Asia Pacific region, addressed
Technology and the Human Mind.
Together we considered the complexity of the world we inhabit and how our theory is challenged by a world struggling with political polarization, armed conflicts, environmental catastrophes, technological acceleration, and cultural challenges.
We discussed these matters in panels, small discussions groups, PSY talks, and film sessions. For the first time, we had special panels presenting individual papers that required previous reading for discussion in small groups.
We also held informal luncheon discussions of topics related to the congress theme, an innovation which began at the Cartagena Congress and became very popular in this congress.
We had 17 fascinating book launches and electronic posters that enriched the congress experience.
In Lisbon, for the first time, in an official way, we enjoyed
simultaneous translation in five languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and, in Portuguese. It was in this way that we celebrated the launch of Portuguese as the IPA’s fifth official language, in Portugal, its birthplace.
We also had the pleasure of listening to the beautiful and very moving Fado music, the most iconic Portuguese musical tradition. Embedded in this music is “saudade”, a word often said to have no true translation. Saudade is a kind of longing, a melancholy nostalgia for what was, or for what could have been. Fado, like psychoanalysis, allows pain to be sung, loss to be shared, and memory to find a voice.
Thank you, or in Portuguese “Obrigado” to all those who attended this congress. Your interest, wisdom, warmth and enthusiasm, created an impressive ambiance of friendship and collegiality that filled our congress venue.
We said goodbye after the Closing Ceremony with Batucadeiras drumming and dance and closed with a magnificent gala dinner and dance party in front of the Tagus River, where we also had the pleasure of hearing a brief commentary on the future of psychoanalysis from our distinguished Honorary President of the IPA, Dr. Otto Kernberg.
After this congress we can say that psychoanalysis does indeed offer an anchor in chaotic times. It steadies us in uncertainty, gives us stability and provides orientation in the midst of a storm. And when the storm passes, psychoanalysis pulls up its anchor and sets sail into the unknown, exploring the internal and external worlds in search of understanding, healing, and personal meaning.
As the IPA past vice-president, I have to say that serving over these last four years has been an extraordinary privilege and an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It has been an honor to work with Harriet Wolfe, our deeply committed past president, as we made our way through challenging times, enriched psychoanalysis in the world, and strengthened connections between regions and between societies in the IPA.
In closing, I want to take this opportunity to send my warmest wishes to our new IPA President Heribert Blass, our new Vice President Katy Bogliatto, and our Treasurer Adela Escardo, whose competence and wisdom will guide us forth on a path of psychoanalytic development for the benefit of our theory, technique and involvement with our patients, our communities and the world.
With warmest wishes
Adriana Prengler
Past Vice-President (2021- 2025)