2023-10-19 18:04:00
Tribute to astrophysicist Hubert Reeves
Hubert Reeves, born July 13, 1932 in Montreal and died October 13, 2023 in Paris, is a French astrophysicist, science popularizer and ecologist of Quebec origin.
In tribute to his memory, the President of the Department, the Sub-Prefect of Condom, the Deputy of the 2nd District, the Academic Director of National Education Services, the Mayor of the commune, the President of the astronomy festival of Fleurance, the management of the establishment and the college students met this Thursday, October 19.
At the end of the solemn gathering, a holm oak was planted in tribute to Hubert Reeves in the courtyard of the establishment.
The story
Created in 1991, the Fleurance Astronomy Festival has been supported from the first edition by recognized astrophysicists, the most famous of whom is Hubert Reeves, who will become its godfather.
Hubert Reeves’ interventions had a significant influence and educational impact on the life of the college. Also on April 28, 2000, the Department of Gers, by deliberation, attributed the name of Hubert Reeves to the Fleurance college which did not have a precise name.
The President’s Speech
“We are here gathered in this place to pay tribute to Hubert Reeves who died last Friday at the age of 91.
Famous astrophysicist and environmental activist, Hubert Reeves was a man with his head in the stars but his feet firmly anchored on the Earth.
His charisma and his desire to popularize astronomy to make it accessible to the general public made Hubert Reeves a popular scientist appreciated by the general public.
Canadian of origin but Gersois at heart, Hubert Reeves gave the astronomy festival, of which he was the sponsor, a reputation on a European scale, making Fleurance a first-rate place of knowledge on astronomy.
This festival, combining cutting-edge scientific conferences between excellent astronomers with debates which popularize astronomy, contributes to the dissemination of a complex but very instructive discipline.
The Departmental Council wanted to show its gratitude to this eminent scientist by naming the Fleurance college in his honor, 23 years ago.
Hubert REEVES’ interventions had a significant influence and educational impact on the life of the college. The students from the Fleurance astronomy section, present alongside us, are further proof of this.
Indeed, college is a place of teaching, transmission of knowledge and acquisition of new knowledge.
It is here that the first physics courses on the creation of the universe and the study of the solar system are given.
Because his actions and his fights in favor of science and ecology honor us, it seemed obvious to name this place of teaching “Collège Hubert Reeves”, on April 28, 2000, in homage to the man who loved both telling stories and teaching the knowledge of astrophysics.
A true jack of all trades, he was also a botanical enthusiast, nature lover and above all a fervent defender of the environment who raised awareness of the fall in biodiversity and the state of our planet.
If I use his words, when he became the first Honorary President of the French Biodiversity Agency in 2016, “The history of the Universe is the history of each of us. Saving the climate means saving humanity.”
Also, a green oak will be planted in the college courtyard, one which will forever carry the memory of this genius.
We will never forget it.
I thank everyone here present for this tribute and I send a sincere thought to his family and all his loved ones. »
Philippe Dupouy, President of the Department.
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