The municipality of Sariñena in the Spanish region of Aragon has named a square after Casimiro Lana Sarrate . On 14 November 2026, the town paid tribute to a local scientist and politician who helped organise Albert Einstein’s 1923 visit to Spain. Family members unveiled the name plaque at the event, on the small square in the old town, as reported by Radio Huesca.
According to the report, residents, visitors and family members attended the tribute. Beforehand, Mayor Francisco Villellas welcomed the guests at the town hall. There, among others, researcher Javier Turrión and historians Antonio Peiró and Alberto Sabio spoke about Lana’s life and times.
Sabio holds the Chair of Democratic Memory at the University of Zaragoza. According to Radio Huesca, he highlighted Lana’s work in science, business and politics. Lana was associated with the car manufacturer Hispano-Suiza and served as a member of parliament during the Second Spanish Republic. He later went into exile in Argentina, where he died in 1961.
Lana’s role in Einstein’s visit was a key focus of the tribute. A study in the history of science by Joaquín Miguel Ruíz Gaspar and Antoni Roca Rosell describes him, along with Rafael Campalans and the scientist Esteve Terradas, as part of the organising core behind Einstein’s stay and lecture series in Barcelona. Others had invited Einstein earlier, so Lana was not solely responsible for the trip.
According to the study, Lana returned to Spain from Berlin to help with the organisation. When Einstein arrived in Barcelona in February 1923, Lana and Campalans accompanied him to the hotel. Lana also documented an excursion to Poblet Monastery with photographs.
According to Radio Huesca, Mayor Villellas described the tribute as an overdue task for the local council. The town wanted to give greater visibility to people who came from Sariñena or were connected with it, and who had made a contribution within or beyond the community.
The programme also included a meal together and, in the afternoon, a screening of Vicky Calavia’s documentary “Las cerezas del exilio”, or “The Cherries of Exile”. A discussion followed. The commemorative event was initiated by the local council and researchers and cultural mediators Gemma Grau, Salvador Trallero and Jesús Fantova.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).