What is Colloquium?

Colloquium is a conversation between two or more people, generally preceded by a formal presentation on the topic to be discussed.

The word colloquy derives from the Latin colloquium, which indicates conversation.

A colloquium is framed within a conference given to an audience by one or more exhibitors on the subject to be learned. In turn, the colloquium opens a conversation between the public and the speakers, who discuss a specific topic.

In this sense, the colloquia are organized taking into account a theme, with exhibitors who teach about the subject and open spaces for generating a dialogue with the public.

The colloquia can be of various types, depending on the field and the public for which they are organized. For example, a university colloquium can focus on various themes defined by the organizers, within the university space and aimed at a mainly university audience.

Another example is a Pan American colloquium, which indicates a discussion between exhibitors and the public from all over the Americas. We could also talk about an international colloquium, which refers to a meeting made up of members of all nationalities.

Colloquium synonyms are meeting, gathering, conversation and discussion.

Structure of a colloquium

The preparation of an exhibition for a colloquium must be structured with an introduction, a development and a conclusion.

The introduction should explain and lay foundations on the topic to be discussed.

The development exposes the problem itself and why its discussion is important.

Finally, the conclusion must give space for the generation of debates or dialogues among the public.

Colloquium in literature

In the field of literature, the colloquium is a type of composition in prose or verse structured in dialogues. One of the examples of this subgenus is Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s Colloquium of Dogs (1547-1616), which relates a conversation between two dogs named Cipión and Berganza.