SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, April 3. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Today, Wednesday, the Faculty of the University of La Laguna conducted a plenary session to appoint Canarian author Elsa López Rodríguez as an Honorary Doctor of the academic institution. She will officially receive this honour on the 24th of this month, alongside philosopher and researcher Eulalia Pérez Sedeño.
Nieves Concepción Lorenzo, a professor in the Department of Spanish Philology, presented the remarkable achievements of the upcoming awardee, emphasising her contributions over a span of 50 years in various domains. Referred to as a beacon for Canarian female writers, she previously served as a Philosophy professor in secondary education. However, she is predominantly acknowledged for her literary works, particularly her poetry, which she describes as defining her essence.
Starting from the 1970s, Elsa López brought forth innovative approaches to studying Canarian cultural identity. Her advocate underscored her exploration of popular culture, her deep-rooted Atlantic connection, and the substantial value of her literary creations. These endeavours culminated in her receiving the Canary Islands Literature Prize in 2022. Themes such as memory retrieval, loss, journey, the island, and personal introspection echo recurrently in her works, positioning her as a prominent voice in contemporary Canarian poetry. Furthermore, her poetry has garnered recognition from distinguished national and international publications.
Elsa López has also published several collections of short stories, and notable among her novels are ‘The Heart of the Birds’ and ‘The Witch of the Island of the Winds’, where she delves into alternative writing styles while remaining true to her intellectual convictions. Serving as the Director of the Antonio Gala Foundation for Young Creators from 2002 to 2006, Elsa López has been honoured with accolades such as the José Pérez Vidal Research Prize, José Hierro International Poetry Prize, and Ciudad de Córdoba International Poetry Prize, among many other national awards.
Her tricontinental influence is another distinguishing facet, accentuating her birth in Equatorial Guinea, her extensive network of associations, travels, editorial work, and overall intellectual output, all intertwined with the “inescapable ocean” that defines her essence – the Atlantic. Elsa López stands as a guiding light for female authors, and her dedication to literary pursuits and cultural advancement render her deserving of the title of Honorary Doctor bestowed upon her by the University of La Laguna.
CLAUSTRAL REMARKS
Following the advocate’s presentation, representatives from the cloistered groups expressed their viewpoints. The ULL Student Association (AEULL) commended the significance of this nomination, as it acknowledges the artistry of female creators. Similarly, the Canarian Student Association (ACE) viewed this recognition as a proclamation of truth and freedom of expression.
Within the education sector, Convergent Renewal highlighted the distinct perspective Elsa López contributes, deeming it pertinent and meriting such recognition. The Alternative Teaching Programme stressed the importance of championing female representation in these academic honours, given that the list of awardees is overwhelmingly dominated by men. Only three women have been honoured compared to 31 men, underscoring the need for women to uplift and inspire other women, thereby catalysing societal transformation. Additionally, this group suggested an amendment to the regulations governing the bestowal of such prestigious titles, allowing research institutes to also propose candidacies.
The stark gender disparity in Honorary Doctorate recipients at the University of La Laguna, according to Rector Francisco García, is “untenable” and necessitates rectification. Thus, he deemed the brevity of this cloister session immensely consequential in initiating steps towards redressing this imbalance. The final vote tally stood at 81 votes cast, with 76 in favour of the appointment and 5 abstentions.
