Sevilla to Honor Local Heroes with Golden Medal Awards

SEVILLA, Spain — The Diputación de Sevilla unanimously approved a list of honorees for the 2025 Medalla de Oro de la Provincia on April 29. The awards will be presented on May 23 during the 19th Día de la Provincia celebration at Teatro Cartuja Center.

This year’s event, themed ‘Aquí, Sevilla’, aims to strengthen ties between the capital and its surrounding municipalities while recognizing the contributions of esteemed individuals and organizations from various fields.

Honorees include notable figures from culture, sports, education, medicine, and business. Each recipient has been chosen based on their leadership, excellence, and commitment to promoting the history and values of Sevilla.

Among the distinguished awardees are the following: The Pueblo Gitano, recognized for its six centuries of shared history and commitment to social justice; José Pérez Velázquez, president of the Hermandad del Rocío de Villamanrique, for preserving Andalusian traditions; and Diana Adán of Alfombras Baldomero, honored for maintaining a century-old artisanal craft.

Others receiving recognition include Álvaro Moreno, an entrepreneur known for innovation; guitarist Antonio Carrión, for his contributions to flamenco; and singer Pepe Begines, celebrating 36 years in music.

Actress Verónica Sánchez will also be recognized for her versatility in film and television, while Scottish cooperative worker Kirsten Louise Sutherland is honored for her commitment to peace and international aid. In a posthumous award, digital activist Elena Huelva is recognized for her efforts in raising awareness of cancer research.

Guillermo Antiñolo, a professor at the University of Sevilla, is celebrated for his research in maternal and fetal health, while Luis Navarro García, a history expert, is acknowledged for his contributions to American history education.

Further, the Coria Club de Fútbol will be honored for over a century of inspiring local youth, along with football star Fabián Ruiz for maintaining his Sevilla roots while playing at a top level. Lastly, swimmers Marina García Polo and Alisa Ozhogina are recognized for their achievement in artistic swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympics.