Benidorm awards the ‘Europe Distinction’ to researcher Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, a world-renowned figure in regenerative medicine
The scientist, who is based in the United States and has strong ties to our city, said in his speech that “it is not about living longer, but about living better”
Toni Pérez highlighted that “he has dedicated his talent to expanding humanity’s knowledge and opening up new hope for millions of people”
Today, the Spanish researcher Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte received the ‘Distinction Europa’ from Benidorm Mayor Toni Pérez at a ceremony held in the municipal Council Chamber. The event was attended by members of the local council, the honouree’s family and close friends, as well as regional MPs Manuel Pérez Fenoll and Mario Villar; the Queens of the Festes Majors Patronals, Laura Ivars and Carmen Guillem; representatives of the city’s business and civil sectors and of the security forces; and even some of his former football teammates. The ‘Distinction Europa’ is an award granted by the City Council to individuals, institutions or organisations recognised for their contribution to the cohesion of the continent.
In this case, the award follows a unanimous decision by the Board of Spokespersons last April, endorsing a proposal put forward by Mayor Toni Pérez, which described Izpisúa as a “world leader in regenerative biology and advanced medicine”.
Following a laudatio delivered by Councillor for the Presidency Juan Díaz, who paid tribute to the researcher’s career and achievements, the distinction was presented, followed by remarks from Izpisúa himself. He said it was an “honour and privilege” to receive the recognition “from a city to which I feel deeply connected and which is part of my life”. After expressing his gratitude for “the journey we have shared” alongside his wife, the researcher Concepción Rodríguez Esteban, Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte gave a lecture focusing on the research that has shaped his career and on scientific advances in cellular rejuvenation.
He spoke about research aimed at slowing down the ageing process and delaying the onset of diseases. In this regard, he explained that “some experiments could indicate that we are not so far from achieving this”. In fact, he said, “in mice we have managed to restore the identity of cells and get them to function properly”. However, he stressed that “it is not about living longer, but about living better; about preventing diseases from appearing, because we are going to die anyway”.
Juan Carlos Izpisúa described his professional career as a “very exciting adventure”, but warned that it “requires contributions from universities, private industry and public administrations”. He also stated that “Benidorm is a natural laboratory because people come here to live better and healthier lives”. “And, to a certain extent, that is what we are seeking through our research,” he concluded.
Mayor Toni Pérez, who brought the ceremony to a close, said that by presenting this distinction, Benidorm was adding Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte to the city’s “moral heritage”, thereby recognising “everything he represents: talent cultivated through hard work and reaching excellence without forgetting one’s roots”. Toni Pérez recalled that, before he turned ten, the researcher moved to Benidorm with his family, where he learned the “value of work”, “effort” and “opportunities”.
During his speech, the mayor described Izpisúa as not only “one of the most prestigious Spanish scientists in the world”, but also “a European in the noblest sense of the word”, because “he has dedicated his talent to expanding humanity’s knowledge and opening up new hope for millions of people”.
At this point, Toni Pérez highlighted the meaning of Europe “as a way of understanding the human being”. “It is the continent that turned reason into a method, recognised academia as a driver of prosperity, science as a shared heritage and freedom of thought as an essential condition for progress.”
Furthermore, he called for Benidorm to “remain a land of opportunity, well-being and welcome”. The mayor stressed that science “allows us to look to the future with hope”, which is why Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte is being honoured with this distinction: “because his career demonstrates that knowledge also helps build Europe, and because his own story reminds us that an open city can be the place where journeys begin that ultimately go on to change the world.”
