The Mayor of Sanlúcar, Carmen Álvarez, presented the Golden Insignia of the City to twelve individuals and entities from Sanlúcar on Sunday during the institutional ceremony held to mark the feast day of San Lucas Evangelista, the city's patron saint. The event took place at the ‘Manolo Sanlúcar’ Municipal Auditorium.
The awards recognize the work of the Royal Society of Horse Racing of Sanlúcar, the textile store El Barato, Diego Villegas, Dolores Rodríguez, the Anti-Bullying Association of Sanlúcar (ABSA), the Aras Foundation, Antonio Jurado ‘El Nono’, Costa Noroeste TV-TDC Sanlúcar, Nuria Rodríguez, José Solano ‘Siroco’, Javier Garat, and José María Sánchez ‘Pericache’. Representatives of the awarded entities received the insignia alongside the present honorees.
In her speech, the mayor highlighted that the honorees reflect “twelve different ways of contributing to our city, but with something that unites them above all: they have left a part of themselves in Sanlúcar.” Carmen Álvarez stated that “when a person leaves a mark on their city, that mark no longer belongs only to them. It becomes part of all of us. Of our memory, of our identity, and of the history we are building across generations.”
The mayor emphasized that “there are moments when a city pauses to look at those who have walked alongside it. Today is one of those days. Today Sanlúcar pauses. A pause to remember, to thank, and above all, to recognize. Because behind every achievement, behind every tradition we preserve, behind every project that grows, and behind every gesture that makes us proud of our land, there are always people.”
Among the recognitions are the Royal Society of Horse Racing, with over 180 years of history; El Barato, a family business since 1957; the young musician Diego Villegas; Dolores Rodríguez, president of the Bonanza Women's Association ‘Ager Veneriensis’; the association ABSA, which promoted Sanlúcar as the first Anti-Bullying City in Spain; the Aras Foundation, for its work with the elderly; flamenco singer Antonio Jurado ‘El Nono’; and Costa Noroeste Televisión – TDC Sanlúcar, a pioneer in cable teledistribution.
Also honored were Nuria Rodríguez, an elite padel player; writer José Solano ‘Siroco’; Javier Garat, Secretary General of Cepesca and a leader in defending the fishing sector; and José María Sánchez ‘Pericache’, known for his work in restoring and promoting the city's historical heritage.
Following the awards ceremony, the mayor stated that the recipients “will forever be part of Sanlúcar’s memory” and concluded by encouraging citizens to “continue caring for this land” and “building the city.”
