“Your work is now more than an incentive; you are ambassadors of the country of the future.” Kings Felipe and Letizia presided over the 2021 National Cultural Awards ceremony, held this Monday in Zaragoza’s Hall of the Crown of Aragon at Pignatelli. The event concluded with a closing address from the king, who reflected on culture as a guiding force through difficult times. He remembered with affection Carlos Saura, whose art, teachings, and audacity he said will continue to accompany the nation. The king asserted that culture will always stand with the people, offering comfort and safe pathways forward. The Queen and King were joined at the ceremony by the Minister of Culture, Miquel Iceta, along with Javier Lambán, president of the Government of Aragon, and Zaragoza’s mayor, Jorge Azcón, among other officials.
Nearly thirty winners were honored, though four were unable to attend: Karlos Arguiñano for television, Juan Diego Botto for theatre, Dora García for plastic arts, and Viví Escrivá for illustration. The current music winner, Rozalén, served as spokesperson, delivering a moving message that the award is a gentle nudge to keep walking. She emphasized that each recipient adds meaning, weight, and depth to daily life, a sentiment she echoed in her remarks about culture: it takes people to new places, invites reflection, provokes questions, and helps shape better individuals. She closed with a direct plea: protect culture so that no one feels vulnerable. Without culture, we would lose a part of our vitality. Rozalén also surprised guests with a performance of her hit song Y busqué.
“A tribute to the cultural world”
In his remarks, Javier Lambán noted that the ceremony was a tribute to the broader world of culture, which endured the worst of the pandemic and continues to sustain society. He announced that the 2021 awards were presented to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Government of Aragon and, after a postponement, finally honored the prize recipients. Lambán stressed that culture has carried a flame of hope without retreat, and he spoke with clear resolve about its enduring importance for the region.
On behalf of Aragon’s leadership, culture is described as a lever and a tool for building future trust. The concept was framed by a reflection attributed to the Italian writer Nuccio Ordine: culture represents the coming together of all spheres, the toleration of diverse ideas, and the shared aspiration toward humanistic, Enlightenment, and secular values. The message underscored that democracy flourishes when culture acts as a unifying force that respects freedom and dignity.
Before turning to the winners, the ceremony host highlighted Zaragoza’s rich cultural landscape, praising the city’s poets, artists, and cultural ambassadors. The sentiment echoed a belief that every participant embodies the city’s cultural soul, capable of inspiring audiences far beyond local borders.