The Institute of Albacete Studies (IEA) ‘Don Juan Manuel’ has received the Cultural Merit Medal of Castilla-La Mancha in the category of Cultural Heritage Research during a ceremony held at the Teatro Palenque in Talavera de la Reina. The award was presented by the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM) on 27 October 2026.
José González, the provincial deputy for Social Affairs, along with IEA director Antonio Caulín and deputy director Ana Teresa Moreno, accepted the award, which acknowledges nearly five decades of dedication to the knowledge, research, conservation, and dissemination of Albacete's heritage.
This recognition comes just ahead of a significant milestone for the institution, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. It highlights the collective efforts of generations of researchers committed to studying Albacete's identity in diverse fields, including archaeology, history, botany, geology, architecture, art, literature, and ethnography.
Over the years, the IEA has played a crucial role in recovering and documenting a legacy that forms part of the collective memory of the province's towns and cities. The medal particularly acknowledges the contributions of over one hundred members of the Institute, who collaborate across various departments on research projects, scientific publications, heritage studies, exhibitions, and outreach activities.
Among these contributors are numerous educators and researchers from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), as well as specialists associated with other universities, museums, and archives. Their input ensures a sustained and multidisciplinary scientific activity.
Antonio Caulín, the IEA director, emphasised the collective nature of the award, which transcends individual projects and recognises the accumulated efforts of those who have worked to investigate, recover, and promote a heritage that has long remained unknown, forgotten, or insufficiently studied.
The IEA's work has expanded knowledge about the province's past, from its Iberian and Roman remains to its architectural, artistic, and natural heritage, while also preserving popular traditions, documentary testimonies, and cultural expressions that shape its identity.
One of the IEA's key activities is supporting archaeological research through grants, collaboration agreements, publications, and scientific projects across various municipalities. This includes partnerships related to heritage sites such as Libisosa in Lezuza, La Graja in Higueruela, the Castle of Peñas de San Pedro, and the Acequión archaeological site in Albacete, which are part of ongoing research and recovery efforts in the region.
The Institute also highlights the link between heritage knowledge and the potential for cultural, social, and economic revitalisation in municipalities, particularly in rural areas. Archaeological activities, the conservation of heritage assets, and their dissemination can create new opportunities related to cultural tourism, specialised professional activity, and local services, while also enhancing the understanding of history and fostering community ties.
The ceremony was particularly meaningful for José González, who experienced a day of dual cultural recognition. In addition to accepting the award for the Institute of Albacete Studies, he shared in the honour bestowed upon the Folkloric Group Abuela Santa Ana, of which he is a member. This group received the Cultural Merit Medal for the Conservation and Dissemination of Intangible Heritage.
Founded in 1987, the group currently comprises around 50 members and focuses on recovering, conserving, and transmitting traditional dances, songs, music, and costumes from Albacete. Nearly four decades of activity have allowed them to keep alive expressions of popular culture passed down through generations, bringing them to new audiences and ensuring they remain part of the shared cultural heritage.
Thus, the two awards recognise complementary aspects of heritage conservation: scientific and documentary research on one hand, and the direct transmission of popular traditions and expressions on the other.
The representation from Albacete at this year's awards was further enhanced by a Special Mention awarded to Teresa Ases and Carlos Iglesias, the driving forces behind the ‘Somos Vértice’ project, for their efforts to bring contemporary creation to municipalities and open new spaces for young talent participation. Their initiative ‘Alumbra’ connects art, education, and territory, fostering encounters between artists and the community, with a particular focus on rural areas.
This recognition underscores another facet of the province's cultural activity: contemporary creation and the search for new forms of participation and access to culture from the countryside.
In summary, the three awards reflect different approaches to cultural work from Albacete: studying and preserving its past, keeping its roots alive, and opening spaces for new forms of creation. The ceremony in Talavera de la Reina gathered individuals, entities, and groups recognised by the regional government in fields such as music, literature, cinema, performing arts, visual arts, research, heritage conservation, and cultural inclusion.
