La Laguna (Tenerife), 6 (Europa Press)
The documentary ‘Blas Cabrera. History of Physics’ is set to premiere next Tuesday at the Leal theatre in La Laguna.
This screening, helmed by Raúl Jiménez Pastor, seeks to educate university students and the general public about the substantial legacy left by this renowned Canarian scientist and his significant contributions to the field of science.
The mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, emphasised that “Blas Cabrera is one of the great figures of the twentieth century, an extraordinary reference in Spain and a universal Canarian who has made his mark across numerous professional domains.”
He further remarked, “we regard him as an illustrious resident, given that much of his childhood and youth was spent in our municipality.”
In his view, “his substantial contributions to scientific culture should be passed on through the generations, and documentaries of this calibre play a vital role in this educational effort, especially among the youth.”
The mayor emotionally recalled the repatriation of Cabrera’s remains and their transfer to the cemetery of San Luis de la Laguna, “which represented a moment of justice for the father of physics in Spain, as he could finally return to the city that witnessed his development and evolution as an individual.”
‘Blas Cabrera. History of Physics’ chronicles the intriguing life of its subject, highlighting pivotal moments like Albert Einstein’s visit to Spain in 1923, Cabrera’s examination of the magnetism of rare earth chemical elements, and his involvement in establishing the National Institute of Physics and Chemistry in 1932.
The narrative emphasises the restoration of his memory and his unpublished manuscript legacy, featuring the repatriation of his remains to La Laguna and the recent honorary naming of the Physical Chemical Institute (IQF) after Blas Cabrera by the CSIC.
The documentary underscores the importance of safeguarding the memory of one of the pioneers of quantum physics, alongside other prominent intellectuals of the era, with whom he was a part of the scientific elite of Europe at that time.
Critical thinking
The primary educational aims of this audiovisual initiative are to ignite interest in physics among youth, link them to the history of science, foster critical thinking, develop new skills in research, and heighten awareness of Spain’s historical memory.
Blas Cabrera, born in Arrecife in 1878 and raised in La Laguna, pursued his PhD in Physical Sciences, with his most significant professional milestones occurring between 1910 and 1934, during which he published several works and established scientific laws.
Not only did he engage in research, but he also advocated for the dissemination of modern physical theories. His extensive contributions were acknowledged internationally, famously hosting Albert Einstein during his notable visit to Spain in 1923.
Cabrera served as the rector of the Central University of Madrid, was president of the Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, and was a member of the Spanish Society of Physics and Chemistry, as well as the Spanish Academy.
In the wake of the Civil War, Blas Cabrera was compelled to flee, like many other Spanish scientists, initially moving to France before eventually settling in Mexico, where he taught at the university in the capital from 1941 until his demise in 1945.
