The Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María hosts the 2026 Honorary Distinctions ceremony, recognising six for their economic, cultural, and social contributions to Antequera. The event coincides with the 616th anniversary of the city's capture.
The Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María hosted on Wednesday 16th September the presentation of the Honorary Distinctions from the City Council of Antequera for 2026, in a ceremony presided over by the mayor Manolo Barón and the deputy mayor for Major Festivals and Traditions, Elena Melero. The event was attended by the territorial delegate of the Junta de Andalucía in Málaga, Antonio García Acedo.
The day commemorates the 616th anniversary of the capture of Antequera by Infante Don Fernando and coincides with the feast of the patron saint, Santa Eufemia. In total, six individuals and entities have been recognised for their contributions to the economic, cultural, and social development of the city, the preservation of its heritage, and service to others.
The first distinction, the Silver Medal of the Lily Jar in the category of local businesses, has been awarded to Panaderías y Pastelerías Santiago. The recognition highlights the trajectory of this family business, which opened its first store on Juan Casco Street in 1996 and currently generates over eighty direct jobs. The award was collected by José Granados and Inmaculada Delgado, along with their children Inmaculada, José Antonio, and Cristina.
The Silver Medal has also been awarded to Adolfo Ferrín Sánchez, an art historian, gallery owner, collector, and patron, for his generosity towards Antequera. His free loan of over fifty works from his collection to the City Museum has allowed for the expansion of the municipal artistic funds.
The Gold Medal of the Lily Jar has been awarded to Ángel Calle Matas, in recognition of over six decades of artistic career and his connection to Antequera's heritage and traditions. The painter, an honorary academic of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antequera, is the author of the Official Poster for Holy Week 2024 and the promotional poster for the Royal August Fair 2026.
The Prolibertas Foundation has been named Preferred Institution of the City of Antequera on the twenty-fifth anniversary of its creation. Promoted by the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and established in Antequera in 2001, the entity has been distinguished for its work in welcoming, accompanying, and socially and labour integrating the most vulnerable individuals. Father Antonio Jiménez and María Soriano collected the recognition.
The professor of Prehistory at the University of Seville Leonardo García Sanjuán has received the title of Adopted Son of the City of Antequera. His research has contributed to the understanding of the Dolmens and their relationship with the landscape, providing scientific arguments for the declaration of the Dolmens Site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, which marks its tenth anniversary this year.
The ceremony concluded with the title of Preferred Son of the City of Antequera awarded to Francisco de Paula Díaz Argüelles, the general auditor of the City Council. The distinction recognises his career in public administration and his commitment to rigorous and transparent municipal economic management, as well as his volunteer work with entities such as CASIAC, the Málaga Association of Spina Bifida, and the Andalusian Federation of Spina Bifida.
The mayor closed the event with a speech highlighting the sense of gratitude this celebration brings to the city.
“Antequera is once again the grateful mother every 16th of September,” expressed Barón, who symbolically described a city that welcomes its children and offers them “a kiss in the form of a distinction.”
“May we continue to celebrate many more years of this 16th of September,” the mayor wished as he concluded his speech.
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