The University of Barcelona awards an honorary doctorate to J.A. Bayona, Lita Cabellut, Núria Espert and Jaume Plensa
Bayona, Cabellut i Plensa han estat investits com a doctors Honoris Causa
News
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Institutional
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Academic
(30/09/2024)
This Monday, 30 September, the University of Barcelona held a solemn ceremony in the Paranymph Hall to award honorary doctorates to four leading figures in art and culture: the filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona, the painter Lita Cabellut, the actress Núria Espert and the sculptor Jaume Plensa.
Bayona, Cabellut i Plensa han estat investits com a doctors Honoris Causa
News
|
Institutional
|
Academic
30/09/2024
This Monday, 30 September, the University of Barcelona held a solemn ceremony in the Paranymph Hall to award honorary doctorates to four leading figures in art and culture: the filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona, the painter Lita Cabellut, the actress Núria Espert and the sculptor Jaume Plensa.
During the previous presentation in the Aula Magna, the rector excused the presence of Núria Espert for health reasons, to whom the award will be given personally. The awardees thanked the award for what it meant in terms of academic recognition of the creative act. Cabellut highlighted “the twinning between science and art” that it means, Plensa said that “it is an extraordinary moment to be able to share the work done with an academic institution, which is responsible for setting standards”, and Bayona recalled that he was part of the “first graduating class of the School of Cinema and Visual Communication of Catalonia” and that this was “very important for the support of the world of cinema that he represented”.
The ceremony, which was attended by the Catalan Minister for Culture, Sònia Hernández, and numerous academic authorities, began with the traditional entrance of the academic retinue and the performance of Canticorum iubilo by the UB Choir.
Rector Joan Guàrdia opened the session and stressed the importance of recognizing the creative talent and cultural contribution of such outstanding figures, who represent excellence in their respective artistic fields. Afterwards, the Secretary-general of the University, Marina Solé, read the official act of appointment of the new honorary doctors.
The sponsor of the four awardees, Dolors Tapias, professor of Visual Arts and Design at the UB’s Faculty of Fine Arts, highlighted the merits of each of the winners, emphasizing Bayona’s ability to turn cinema into a complete sensory experience; the depth of Cabellut’s work, which connects with the human soul; the emotion and passion that Espert brings to theatre; and the evocative power of Plensa’s sculptures. Tapias emphasized the “great contribution of the four awardees to the world of creation, art and culture, and the leadership they exercise in their respective specialities”.
After Dolors Tapias’ speech, the Rector conducted the investiture ceremony, in which the traditional insignia of honorary doctorate were presented: the biretta, the ring and the white gloves, symbols of prestige, wisdom and academic purity. Bayona, Cabellut and Plensa received these honours with great emotion, and thanked the UB for this recognition.
The ceremony, which was attended by the Catalan Minister for Culture, Sònia Hernández, and numerous academic authorities, began with the traditional entrance of the academic retinue and the performance of Canticorum iubilo by the UB Choir.
Rector Joan Guàrdia opened the session and stressed the importance of recognizing the creative talent and cultural contribution of such outstanding figures, who represent excellence in their respective artistic fields. Afterwards, the Secretary-general of the University, Marina Solé, read the official act of appointment of the new honorary doctors.
The sponsor of the four awardees, Dolors Tapias, professor of Visual Arts and Design at the UB’s Faculty of Fine Arts, highlighted the merits of each of the winners, emphasizing Bayona’s ability to turn cinema into a complete sensory experience; the depth of Cabellut’s work, which connects with the human soul; the emotion and passion that Espert brings to theatre; and the evocative power of Plensa’s sculptures. Tapias emphasized the “great contribution of the four awardees to the world of creation, art and culture, and the leadership they exercise in their respective specialities”.
After Dolors Tapias’ speech, the Rector conducted the investiture ceremony, in which the traditional insignia of honorary doctorate were presented: the biretta, the ring and the white gloves, symbols of prestige, wisdom and academic purity. Bayona, Cabellut and Plensa received these honours with great emotion, and thanked the UB for this recognition.
The ceremony, presided over by the Rector Joan Guàrdia, took place in the Paranymph Hall and honoured the exceptional artistic careers of the four awardees.
In his speech, Juan Antonio Bayona declared that he “felt overwhelmed by the award”, and expressed his gratitude that “the UB has awarded a film director”. He reviewed his humble origins and the origin of his passion for film. He pointed out that “through his films he has tried to travel to the darkest parts of the human spirit and shed some light”. Lita Cabellut stressed “that the artist’s work is essentially solitary, and very much connected to science, culture and, above all, to the past, since we are a social species”. She acknowledged that “passion for knowledge is the driving force behind his creative activity, and secondly, the desire to share and teach it”.
Jaume Plensa concluded his speech, stating that “beauty is the bond that unites us all, and the search for beauty is the enterprise that moves me to unveil the secrets of the human spirit”. He added that “art in the public space must help to change society through the transforming power of beauty”.
The event continued with a musical performance by the UB Choir, which offered a new piece before giving the floor to the President of the Board of Trustees of the UB, Joan Corominas. Corominas underlined the cultural and social importance of the four honoris causa who “represent the balance between local spirit and global recognition”.
Finally, Rector Joan Guàrdia gave the closing speech, recalling the UB’s commitment to artistic creation, with emphasis on the fundamental role of the arts in the construction of a more critical and reflective society, stating that “the binomial of art and science is essential for a mature and committed society”, and emphasized “the pride of incorporating four members of the university community, who are creators of knowledge through art and beauty”.
The ceremony concluded with a rendition of the Gaudeamus igitur, followed by the traditional embrace of fraternity with the academic staff. After the ceremony, the attendees enjoyed a glass of cava in the Ferran Soldevila garden.
Jaume Plensa concluded his speech, stating that “beauty is the bond that unites us all, and the search for beauty is the enterprise that moves me to unveil the secrets of the human spirit”. He added that “art in the public space must help to change society through the transforming power of beauty”.
The event continued with a musical performance by the UB Choir, which offered a new piece before giving the floor to the President of the Board of Trustees of the UB, Joan Corominas. Corominas underlined the cultural and social importance of the four honoris causa who “represent the balance between local spirit and global recognition”.
Finally, Rector Joan Guàrdia gave the closing speech, recalling the UB’s commitment to artistic creation, with emphasis on the fundamental role of the arts in the construction of a more critical and reflective society, stating that “the binomial of art and science is essential for a mature and committed society”, and emphasized “the pride of incorporating four members of the university community, who are creators of knowledge through art and beauty”.
The ceremony concluded with a rendition of the Gaudeamus igitur, followed by the traditional embrace of fraternity with the academic staff. After the ceremony, the attendees enjoyed a glass of cava in the Ferran Soldevila garden.
Multimedia gallery
El rector Joan Guàrdia, en un moment de l'acte
El Paranimf s'ha omplert de gom a gom
El director de cinema Juan Antonio Bayona
L'artista Lita Cabellut
Jaume Plensa, durant la seva intervenció.
Flickr
