The Castelao Medal (Galician: ''Medalla Castelao''), established in 1984, is one of the highest civil distinctions awarded in

Galicia Galicia may refer to: Geographic regions * Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain ** Gallaecia, a Roman province ** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia ** The medieval King ...

, surpassed only by the Medalla de Galicia. The award is presented by the

Xunta de Galicia The Xunta de Galicia (; "Regional Government of Galicia") is the collective decision-making body of the government of the autonomous community of Galicia, composed of the President, the Vice-President(s) and the specialized ministers (''Conse ...

to honour the people and institutions that have created exceptional works in the arts, culture, literature, science, or in any other field that is worthy of distinction. The award can be bestowed upon Galicians whether they reside in

or abroad. The medal was created and named in honour of writer and politician

Alfonso Daniel Rodríguez Castelao Alfonso Daniel Manuel Rodríguez Castelao (30 January 1886 – 7 January 1950), commonly known as Castelao, was a Galician politician, writer, painter and doctor. He is one of the fathers of Galician nationalism, promoting Galician identi ...

History

The award was conceived in 1984 and is presented annually on 28 June. The date coincides with the return of the remains of writer and politician

from Argentina to Galicia in 1984, which were buried in the Panteón de Galegos Ilustres ( Panthenon of Distinguished Galicians), in

Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain. The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, as the destination of the Way of S ...

. The Castelao Medals are given to a different number of people each year. It is stipulated that the award cannot be given posthumously.

Medal description

The Medal measures . On the front is a cross designed by Castelao, which is inspired by the monumental stone crucifixes found in Galicia. On a blue background, the motto reads ''Deus fratresque Gallaeciae'' ( en, God, Brothers and Galicia). The name of the recipient of the award and the date are inscribed on the back. The medal hangs on entwined chains of white and blue, the national colours of Galicia.

Recipients

Partial list of laureates

2019

* Benedicta Sánchez, Jeanne Picard, Marisa Crespo, Teresa Portela and the ''Galician professional collective of netmakers''.

2020

* A Roda, Xosé Manuel Piñeiro, Ana Peleteiro, Pilar Cernuda and Asociación de Amigos do Camiño de Santiago.

2021

* Santiago Péman, Esther Eiros, Manuel Vila, Xoán Luis Saco Cid and the ''Centro Superior de Hostelería de Galicia''.

2022

* Javier Sánchez de Dios, Camilo Nogueira Román, Javier Olleros,

CD Burela FS Club Deportivo Burela Fútbol Sala is a futsal club based in Burela, province of Lugo, in the northwestern autonomous community of Galicia. The club was founded in 2001 as a split-off of A Mariña FS. The club plays its home games in Pavilló ...

and ''El Eco de A Coruña''.

2023

* Ledicia Costas,

Siniestro Total Siniestro Total (meaning literally 'total write-off' as in the insurance term for a vehicle that is beyond repair following a motor accident) is a Galician punk rock group from Vigo, Spain. It was founded in 1981 during the cultural movement ...

, Lino de Prado, Susana Gacio and Rafael López López.

Notes

Visual arts awards Spanish literary awards Galician awards Castelao Medal recipients Annual events in Galicia (Spain) {{lit-award-stub