Bullfighter Luis Francisco Esplá, businessman Juan Perán, and researcher Enrique de Madaria receive distinctions from the Generalitat Valenciana. Cristina Gallardo Gómez has been posthumously recognised.
The Generalitat Valenciana presented its awards on Friday to mark 9th October, the Day of the Valencian Community, at an institutional event held at the Palau de la Generalitat. Among the honorees are several names linked to the province of Alicante, as reported by alicantepress.com.
Bullfighter Luis Francisco Esplá, born in Alicante, received the High Distinction of the Generalitat and the Grand Cross of the Order of Jaume I the Conqueror. The Consell recognised his career and the connection he has maintained between bullfighting and the arts. A graduate in Fine Arts, Esplá spoke on behalf of all the awardees during the event.
"Beacon and guide of society"
In his speech, Esplá stated that these recognitions compel those who receive them to maintain their roots and to act as a "beacon and guide of society".
The highest regional distinction was also awarded to the Autonomous City of Ceuta, footballers Ferran Torres and Alejandro Grimaldo, and the Valencian members of the Spanish rhythmic gymnastics team Marina Cortelles and Lucía Muñoz.
Businessman Juan Perán, founder of Pikolinos, has been honoured with the Distinction of the Generalitat for Business and Social Merit. The Consell valued his leadership of an internationally active company and his social work through the Juan Perán-Pikolinos Foundation.
Medical researcher Enrique de Madaria received the Distinction for Scientific Merit for his excellence in research and his dedication to the study and treatment of pancreatic diseases. He is responsible for the Biliary-Pancreatic Unit at the Dr. Balmis University General Hospital in Alicante, deputy scientific director of ISABIAL, and a professor at the University of Miguel Hernández in Elche.
His career has international reach: he leads clinical trials in pancreatology, has published over 200 scientific articles, and has presided over the Spanish Association of Pancreatology and the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology.
Environmental agent Cristina Gallardo Gómez has received the Distinction of the Generalitat posthumously.
The list of recognitions also includes poet Carlos Marzal, honoured with the Literary Award of the Generalitat, and actor Enrique Arce and the College of the Major Art of Silk, named Ambassadors of the Valencian Community.
In the category of Business and Social Merit, alongside Juan Perán, María Dolores Guillamón, Vicente Giner, Francisco Martínez, and the Society of Farmers of the Vega of Valencia have also been recognised. The Cultural Merit distinctions have been awarded to Vicente Colom, Rafael Serrallet Gómez, and the Cultural Association of Horsemen of the Bull Entry of Segorbe.
Canoeist Bárbara Pardo has received the Distinction for Sports Merit, while the Down Syndrome Association of Valencia and Mothers in Action have been recognised for their efforts towards equality and an inclusive society.
The Joan Lluís Vives Distinction has been awarded to Clara Martínez Alberola, while the Central Union of Irrigators of the Tajo-Segura Aqueduct and the Valencian Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes have received decorations from the Order of Jaume I the Conqueror.
The awardees from the province of Alicante thus receive a recognition that the Generalitat grants every 9th October. The event, held at the Palau de la Generalitat, brought together institutional representatives and members of Valencian civil society.
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