Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), 25 years promoting science

Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) commemorated its 25th anniversary today at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in Donostia, with an event reflecting on the center's track record, from its founding ideas to its future challenges. The event was attended by Imanol Pradales, the Lehendakari (Head of the Government of the Basque Autonomous Community), as well as representatives of institutions and collaborating bodies, DIPC scientific community, and the general public.

In his opening speech, the Lehendakari Imanol Pradales acknowledged the importance of the cutting-edge research carried out by the center in Donostia. ‘DIPC has been instrumental in putting the Basque Country on the world science map. It is a benchmark of excellence worldwide. It is a national project and a source of pride for our people,’ said the Lehendakari.

During the ceremony, members of the center's management team presented the most significant milestones of this quarter of a century, alternating the narrative with emotional audiovisual sequences that allowed the attendees to relive historic moments of DIPC and tour the interior of the advanced laboratories where DIPC community carries out its scientific work on a daily basis.

Ricardo Diez-Muiño, DIPC’s director, highlighted the profound and generous collaboration of numerous individuals and institutions, noting that the success of the research center is a collective achievement. For her part, Aran García-Lekue, head of strategic projects, stressed the importance of basic research as a driving force for developing new applications, highlighting the fact that DIPC has various lines of fundamental research and contributes towards training future scientific talent, supported by the active participation of young researchers. However, the center's responsibility does not stop at scientific and technological advances; Nora González, director of outreach and communication, emphasized DIPC's commitment to the popularization of this knowledge through a wide variety of outreach and communication activities aimed at the general public.

The program also featured artistic performances specially chosen for the occasion, such as the performance of the emblematic song Izarren Hautsa (Star Dust) by the singer and song-writer Eñaut Elorrieta and pianist Iñar Sastre, whose rapport on stage created a magical moment. One of the most applauded moments was the surprise appearance of the extempore Basque verse maker Maialen Lujanbio, who dedicated a sung verse to DIPC and to Pedro Miguel Etxenike, president of DIPC and the driving force behind this project.

Besides paying tribute to what has already been achieved, the celebration also highlighted the importance of continuing to build the center's future through projects such as the new building —funded by the Basque Government's Department of Science, Universities and Innovation— which will enable DIPC to take a qualitative leap forward by consolidating its growth and expanding its capabilities to develop cutting-edge science.

In his closing speech, Pedro Miguel Etxenike stressed that “good science policy requires a long-term approach and continuity. DIPC is the outcome of this policy, promoted and sustained by all successive governments. The new DIPC building, which we will soon be inaugurating, will be decisive in enabling us to remain at the global forefront.”