Quintanar de la Orden has celebrated the 40th edition of the 'La Encina' award and the 35th edition of the 'Juan Martín de Nicolás' award, organised by the Cultural Association Santiago Apóstol. The event was attended by Mayor Pablo Nieto Toldos, alongside the Councillor for Culture, Mª Carmen Vallejo, and many local residents.
The day began with a traditional commemorative meal at the Hotel Restaurante Castellano. Following the meal, Ángel Barrios, the secretary of the Association and director of the magazine La Encina, along with the president of the entity, Marciano Ortega, expressed their gratitude to attendees, collaborators, and publishers for their support and commitment. They recalled that this gathering was established to become an annual event for sharing experiences across cultural, musical, artistic, photographic, literary, and religious domains.
During the event, gifts were presented to Tomás Verdugo and Paco López for their contributions to the Cervantine Days, where they participated in organising various events. The awards ceremony followed, with the 'Juan Martín de Nicolás' award presented to Mario López-Barrajón Barrios, a graduate in Geography and History and currently a professor at the Pontifical University of Comillas. A native of Quintanar, López-Barrajón has always proudly represented his hometown, and his connection to Martín de Nicolás is particularly meaningful, as he once taught in his former office in Madrid.
Mario Vela, an artist and friend of the awardee, along with his brother, Zacarías López-Barrajón, delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting on López-Barrajón's personal and professional journey. They highlighted his interest in history, research skills, teaching vocation, and his contributions to local culture through lectures, historical tours, and his role as a herald for local festivities and Holy Week.
In an emotional acceptance speech, López-Barrajón expressed his gratitude for the recognition, remembered his deceased family members, and stated that he has been a prophet in his own land, remaining deeply connected to Quintanar despite residing in Madrid.
The 'La Encina' award was awarded to Elisa Sánchez Coronado, a writer and vice-president of the Association, known for her significant literary career and contributions to La Encina, one of the longest-running publications in Castilla-La Mancha. The Association praised her self-taught nature, sensitivity in writing relatable and heartfelt stories, as well as her courage to blend prose, poetry, and verse, having received numerous accolades in various literary competitions.
Also emotional, Sánchez Coronado thanked the award and reflected on the people who have accompanied her throughout her journey. She shared her lifelong relationship with books, her literary beginnings, and her aspirations with each piece she writes, valuing all she has learned and enjoyed along the way.
Mayor Pablo Nieto Toldos congratulated both awardees, highlighting their commitment to culture, knowledge, and the transmission of Quintanar's history and roots. He also thanked Sánchez Coronado for her remarkable work as a writer and López-Barrajón for his efforts in preserving Quintanar's cultural memory and bringing it closer to the community.
Before concluding the event, the upcoming awardees for the next edition were announced: the Royal Brotherhood of Virgen de las Angustias, Cristo de la Columna, and Virgen Dolorosa will receive the 'La Encina' award, while the KintaFoto Photographic Association will be honoured with the 'Juan Martín de Nicolás' award.
