New Biography Chronicles Life of Canary Islands Cinema Pioneer Miguel Brito Rodríguez

Miguel Brito Rodríguez, a key figure in the technological and visual modernization of the Canary Islands at the turn of the 20th century, is the subject of a new biography. On Saturday, June 27, at 12:00 p.m., the La Pardela bookstore (located at 21 San Clemente Street, Santa Cruz de Tenerife) will host a presentation and discussion of the book Don Miguel, el del Cine. Miguel Brito Rodríguez (1876-1972): pionero del cine y la fotografía en Canarias, written by researcher Benjamín Reyes.

The book, which includes a prologue by Santa Cruz de La Palma’s official chronicler, Manuel Poggio Capote, explores Brito’s multifaceted career and his role in bringing early film and sound technology to the islands. Through extensive research in the Diocesan Archive of Tenerife, Reyes documents how Brito organized the first cinematographic projection in the Canary Islands on February 13, 1898, at the Círculo Mercantil de Tenerife using a Lumière cinematograph. He introduced the same technology to La Palma just two months later at the Teatro Chico.

Beyond his work in cinema, the book highlights Brito’s career as a photographer. His studio, "Fotógrafos y Dibujantes," founded in 1898, produced over 21,000 images—now held in the General Archive of La Palma—that provide a vital visual record of island life at the time. His talent was widely recognized, leading Queen Maria Christina to appoint him as a royal photographer in 1900. The 154-page biography features 75 illustrations documenting his legacy.

Author Benjamín Reyes, an expert in Art History and Information Sciences with a background in historical research, will discuss the book alongside moderator Dácil Zurita. The event reflects La Pardela’s commitment to serving as a hub for local history, helping audiences appreciate the pioneers who shaped the visual identity of the Canary Islands.