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Approximately five hundred attendees gathered as the ceremony opened with remarks from José Manuel Bermúdez, the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He began by underscoring the strong ties between the city and culture, highlighting the Canarian painter Óscar Domínguez and his influential body of work. Bermúdez lauded local talents with proven success and noted that the city has long fostered Fine Arts throughout much of the twentieth century, sustaining a rich tradition of artistic engagement.
He recalled a sculpture exhibit displayed on a city street and stressed ongoing efforts to restore the historical heritage, including the reopening of Spain’s sole Masonic temple. Its visit would later be hosted by another representative from the Ministry of Culture, Miquel Iceta. Iceta also attended the event and expressed gratitude for a gesture from the Crown that marked eight years since a flood required a collective effort to restore normalcy and secure support for the ceremony.
Pedro Martín, president of the Tenerife Island Council, spoke about the essential role of public institutions in backing culture through budgets. He congratulated the winners and stated that a progressive society aims to surpass its previous achievements. A commemorative video traced the artistic journeys of the recipients as thirty-two medals were awarded to individuals across music, sculpture, performance, writing, and other expressive arts.
First time in the Canary Islands
The Minister of Culture acknowledged the difficulty in selecting the recipients, noting that the country owes much to the artists. He announced that the awards ceremony was held for the first time in the Canary Islands, framing it as a moment to broaden a plural and diverse cultural vision. The goal was to recognize a wider spectrum of creativity and to highlight that culture becomes richer when more communities participate. The concept of culture was described as expanding in both scope and depth, leading to the broad awarding of medals.
Iceta added that choosing a host island was challenging, but Tenerife’s selection reflected a desire to celebrate the island’s creative output. He also addressed the palm tree growers, urging broad support to tackle current challenges, and reminded everyone that nature stands ready to be enjoyed and respected. He spoke of Óscar Domínguez, noting that his pioneering spirit opened doors to dreams and that winners like Domínguez help people understand the world and strive for a better society through a shared appreciation of art.
The minister also noted the passing of two notable figures in this edition: author Almudena Grandes and rights advocate Ramón Casas, highlighting their significant contributions to culture and intellectual life.
Singer Eva Amaral addressed the audience on behalf of the winners, expressing a sense of humility among such a distinguished group. She described the emotional impact of witnessing the celebration and dedicated her medal to the voices that preceded them, honoring the lives of people in regions like Tindouf who embody diverse cultures coming together on the planet.
Ángel Víctor Torres, president of the Canary Islands government, recalled the archipelago’s artistic roots and named several notable creators from the islands. He affirmed that culture is a basic right and highlighted the regional effort to sustain public cultural budgets. He emphasized the region’s aim to become a hub for audiovisual production through favorable tax measures and continued support for cultural life across the archipelago.