Within the framework of the Averroes Year, which began in Córdoba last March, the Instituto Cervantes has organized two round tables in Madrid to commemorate the 900 years since the birth of the influential philosopher and physician. Carmen Calvo, promoter of this initiative, has emphasized the importance of making Averroes' legacy known, especially among younger generations.
“"Averroes is an absolutely essential figure for understanding the Europe that embraced Western culture, fundamentally Aristotle. I believe that with him, what often happens to us happens: we are not capable of valuing our own, even when our own are completely important in Europe and the world."
Calvo highlighted the modernity of Averroes' thought, who advocated for reason as a path to peaceful understanding among people, coexisting with faith. This perspective, according to the president, is crucial in a current world marked by closed and subjective positions.
“"Averroes would say that today we are regressing, that we are taking steps that are not forward, that are not progress, but are towards the cave."
The president also recalled that Averroes was ahead of his time, being the first in Europe to advocate for the separation between religion and politics, and for a state that administered power and security while respecting beliefs. Despite his exile and ostracism, his remains returned to Córdoba, his hometown, where he felt deeply rooted.
Finally, Calvo criticized the lack of recognition of figures like Averroes in Spanish education, attributing it to an unreasonable relationship with history and the difficulty of valuing thinkers from other cultures and religions, despite their deep connection to Córdoba and Andalucía.
