The municipal plenary will vote on July 21 to grant the City of Alcalá 2026 Awards, recognising ten individuals and entities for their contribution to the city. The awards ceremony will take place on September 21 at the Auditorio Riberas del Guadaíra.
The Alcalá de Guadaíra City Council announced this Thursday the proposal to grant the City of Alcalá 2026 Awards, which recognise the careers of ten individuals and entities linked to the locality. The voting in the municipal plenary will be held on July 21, and the awards will be presented on September 21, coinciding with Alcalá Day, at the Auditorio Riberas del Guadaíra.
Ten awardees from various fields
The list of awardees includes María Quirós Acejo, a Geography and History teacher with 22 years of teaching at IES Cristóbal de Monroy; Francisca Olías Ferrera, an educator and political activist key to Alcalá's democratic history; Araceli de Alcalá, a flamenco dancer and teacher; Joaquín Ordóñez Jiménez, an adult education teacher and a reference for the local pacifist and environmental movement; Magdalena Alfaro Basilio, a stage director with over 30 years of experience in social theatre; Juan Carlos Sánchez Gómez, a researcher at CSIC in the Institute of Materials Science of Seville; Estudio de Danza Grand Allegro, active since 1997 in dance and Pilates training; Jesús Alcarazo Velasco, a nationally renowned ceramist and painter; Ricardo Piña Hidalgo, a family doctor with a long career; and Carlos Gallego Márquez, president of the Red Cross in Alcalá for 35 years and a local police officer.
The proposal has been agreed upon unanimously by all political groups in the Municipal Corporation, reflecting the institutional consensus surrounding these awards, considered the highest recognition granted by the City Council.
A ceremony at the Auditorio Riberas del Guadaíra
The awards gala will be held on September 21 at the Auditorio Riberas del Guadaíra, an emblematic venue in the city. The event will be a solemn occasion coinciding with Alcalá Day, a festive day when the municipality celebrates its identity and history. Residents will be able to attend the event, which promises to be a tribute to the diversity of talents and commitments that enrich the locality.
The City Council highlights that these awards aim to value the dedication and effort of those who contribute to the progress of Alcalá through culture, education, social work, sports, community engagement, or business. "It is a thank you from the city to those who project a positive image of Alcalá," municipal sources state.
"These awards are a recognition of the careers and commitment of individuals and entities that have left a significant mark on our municipality," declared the mayor, Javier Rodríguez Palacios, at the press conference prior to the plenary.
An award with history and local projection
The City of Alcalá Awards have been presented annually for several decades and have become an unmissable event in the institutional calendar of the locality. In previous editions, awardees have ranged from visual artists to community groups, elite athletes, and renowned scientists. The variety of profiles this year once again demonstrates the richness of the social and cultural fabric of Alcalá de Guadaíra.
For residents, these awards represent a source of pride and an opportunity to better understand the figures working for the common good. "It is important for the city to recognise its own," comments a local resident. "Sometimes we don't know everything that people like Ricardo Piña or Carlos Gallego do, and events like this remind us of that."
The City Council has encouraged citizens to attend the event on September 21, which will begin at 20:00 at the Auditorio Riberas del Guadaíra. Admission will be free until capacity is reached, and a large turnout is expected to support the awardees.
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