Literature has always found its most fruitful and unrestrained source of creativity in fantasy. When imagination runs wild and boundless, it creates fresh and wild ideas that are not limited by the realism that prevails in other subgenres, which sometimes ends up stifling creativity. Many novels, short stories and poems are filled with fantasy: castles in the sky, dragon riders, warrior princesses, mysterious gates to imaginary worlds, swordsmen, sorceresses, and all manner of mythical creatures. Since the dawn of time, dreamers everywhere have found fantasy in the form of myths, fairy tales and superstitions. Even when reason seemed to prevail in a society increasingly obsessed with science, fantasy found its place in literature. During the 19th century, hundreds of traditions that had been forgotten for decades were rediscovered. The 20th century, for its part, witnessed the revival of those imaginaries in the form of important and famous books: The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Neverending Story, The Books of Earthsea, Harry Potter, etc. These stories defied reality and resulted in the creation of new identities and worlds. Today, their heritage has given rise to a whole literary genre that never ceases to inspire new plots. From fairy tales and epic poems, fantasy has evolved in many directions, seeking new ways of dreaming and creating that fit the taste of 21st-century readers: dragons no longer destroy cities nor kidnap princesses, but are ridden by brave heroes; princesses do not wait for their Prince Charming, but escape their prisons by themselves; knights wear clothes from faraway lands which differ largely from the garments of medieval Europe.

The purpose of this interdisciplinary conference is to encourage a debate, both from a theoretical and comparative perspective, about fantasy in 21st-century literature as the heir of a canon and the promoter of new stories. Generally speaking, the goal is to spark a debate about the current situation of Fantasy and its new forms of expression, both in literature and in other media, and in contrast with other artistic expressions. We wish to stimulate a discussion between tradition and change where every young researcher who wants to delve into this genre can take part and find new approaches and perspectives.