The Ministry of Culture has awarded the National Prize for the Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage 2026 to the project 'Memorias y Patrimonios Personales'. The jury recognised the initiative by the Association of Conservators and Restorers of Spain (ACRE) for its contributions to the physical recovery of cultural assets and the memory of individuals in communities affected by the DANA (a severe weather event) in the province of Valencia.
The award, which includes a monetary prize of €30,000, was announced following a jury meeting. The jury highlighted the project for its comprehensive, collaborative, and multidisciplinary approach, which integrates technical, ethical, and humanitarian values from the professional and associative sectors of cultural heritage conservation and restoration.
Specifically, the jury noted the project's effectiveness in addressing the physical recovery of cultural assets and the collective emotional recovery of communities impacted by the DANA, which occurred on 29 October 2024. They praised its innovative and participatory methodology, suggesting it could serve as a model for future initiatives in areas affected by disasters, particularly in the context of climate change.
Furthermore, the jury expressed appreciation for the project's commitment to transferring knowledge to the involved communities, the professional sector, institutions, and society at large through conferences, publications, and exhibitions.
In the previous edition of the award, the restoration of the Frontón Beti Jai was recognised, adding to a distinguished list of past recipients, including notable figures such as Tomás Antelo and María de los Ángeles Querol Fernández.
The 'Memorias y Patrimonios Personales' project is a pioneering initiative aimed at recovering personal cultural assets affected by the DANA. Launched by ACRE, the project seeks to preserve objects and documents that, beyond their material value, are integral to the memory, identity, and history of the affected individuals and communities.
ACRE activated its professional coordination mechanisms to design a specific programme that addresses the needs arising from the emergency, aiming to assist in the recovery of personal heritage with historical, artistic, documentary, or social significance impacted by the DANA. This has involved the intervention of 235 items from 17 municipalities, including graphic documents, ceramics, sculptures, ethnographic heritage, musical instruments, paintings, and textiles.
Through this initiative, ACRE has contributed to the recovery of an often-overlooked aspect of heritage in major emergencies: personal photographs, documents, memories, artworks, and significant objects that form part of both collective and individual memory. Beyond the material restoration of these items, the project aims to help restore an essential part of the identity and history of those whose lives were disrupted by the disaster.
The jury was chaired by Ángeles Albert, Director General of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts, with Fernando Sáez Lara, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain, serving as vice-chair. The jury also included representatives from various institutions and experts in the field of conservation and restoration.
