In addition, the figure of the Polish novelist and playwright Víctor Gombrowicz was commemorated for his important contribution to literature, in an activity organized by the Chemistry Department of the university and which included the participation of the Polish Consul in Chile.

With the presence of the ULS Rector, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, the Consul General of the Polish Embassy in Chile, Milena Lukasiewicz, the president of the French Alliance of the Coquimbo Region, Dr. George Bonan, university authorities, academics and students of the house of studies, the University of La Serena, through its Department of Chemistry, carried out an activity in commemoration of the 185 years of the arrival of Ignacio Domeyko to Chile and Víctor Gombrowicz, Polish novelist and playwright, an opportunity where The life and work of both Polish figures and the contribution of their work were highlighted, especially to the important legacy that Ignacio Domeyko left to Chilean education and, in particular, to the ULS.

During the activity, 2 presentations were carried out focused on the history of both figures. In the first instance, it was the Honorary Consul of Poland and academic, Jaime Pozo, who made the presentation “Ignacio Domeyko, Polish scientist in memory of the 185th anniversary of his arrival in La Serena and his educational and scientific contribution”; and later, the president of the Institut Europeen Espace Museal Víctor Gombrowicz Villa Alexandrine of France, Evelyne Temman, was in charge of the presentation “Víctor Gombrowicz, Polish novelist and playwright nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.”

To conclude the commemoration ceremony, the ULS Rector, Dr. Luperfina Rojas and the Director of the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Iván Fernández, unveiled a plaque in which the name of the Ignacio Domeyko Ancuta Amphitheater is assigned, located in the Department's premises. of Chemistry, on the Andrés Bello Campus.

Regarding this important commemoration event, Dr. Luperfina Rojas indicated that “this event is very relevant because Ignacio Domeyko was the one who brought what mining education is to our country. Also, this openness that is given to us through the Consul who accompanied us today and with whom we talked about promoting projects together to learn and bring their culture closer to our country, and in working on exchange issues, carrying out, in some way, the work that Ignacio Domeyko did, opening doors between Europe and Latin America, and thus being able to share experiences in the academic area, research, innovation and connection with the environment, which is very important."

For her part, the Consul General of the Polish Embassy in Chile, Milena Lukasiewicz, thanked the invitation and highlighted the relationship between both countries and, in particular, the university with the embassy, ​​adding that “it is a great honor and a privilege.” to be here at this celebration, a tribute to a great Pole who left an indelible mark on Chile. I have realized that the presence of Domeyko is universal in this country, especially in mining regions, and I am very happy to be able to have this cooperation with the University of La Serena, because it is really the university where young people are trained under the legacy by Ignacio Domeyko.”  

Finally, the Director of the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Iván Fernández, highlighted the importance of being able to honor the figure of Ignacio Domeyko and his legacy. “Through this ceremony, we have been able to highlight the legacy of the Polish scholar Ignacio Domeyko, where we also honored his figure by naming our amphitheater with his name in his honor. Furthermore, we have been able to remember the links between France, Poland and Chile, and strengthen them through these instances.”

Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom.