The Castelao Medal (Galician: Medalla Castelao), established in 1984, is one of the highest civil distinctions awarded in Galicia, surpassed only by the Medalla de Galicia. The award is presented by the Xunta de Galicia 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 Galicia or abroad. The medal was created and named in honour of writer and politician Alfonso Daniel Rodríguez Castelao.

Medalla de Castelao
A bronze bust of Mark Twain on a pedestal
The Castelao Medal is modeled after one of his designs.
Awarded forhaving "made contributions in different fields and taken the name of Galicia beyond its borders in ways similar to Castelao"[1]
LocationSantiago de Compostela
CountrySpain
Presented byXunta de Galicia
First awarded1984

History

edit

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 Alfonso Daniel Rodríguez Castelao from Argentina to Galicia in 1984, which were buried in the Panteón de Galegos Ilustres (Panthenon of Distinguished Galicians), in Santiago de Compostela.[2] 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

edit

The Medal measures 50 by 36 mm (2.0 by 1.4 in).[3] 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 (English: 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

edit

Partial list of laureates

edit

2019

edit

2020

edit

2021

edit

2022

edit

2023

edit

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ "A Xunta concede as Medallas Castelao a Ledicia Costas, Siniestro Total, Susana Rodríguez Gacio, Lino de Prado e Rafael López". June 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Decreto 170/1984, de 27 de xuño, polo que se crea a Medalla Castelao (DOG nº 230, de 13.12.1984).
  3. ^ Imaxe da medalla.
  4. ^ "Medallas Castelao 2019: El empoderamiento femenino de un reconocimiento oficial". June 6, 2019.
  5. ^ "La atleta Ana Peleteiro, el presentador Xosé Manuel Piñeiro y el grupo a Roda, entre las Medallas Castelao 2020". June 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "Galicia entrega las Medallas Castelao 2021 y resurge de la "negra sombra" de la pandemia". June 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "Sánchez de Dios, Camilo Nogueira y Javier Olleros, Medallas Castelao 2022". June 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "A Xunta concede as Medallas Castelao a Ledicia Costas, Siniestro Total, Susana Rodríguez Gacio, Lino de Prado e Rafael López". June 22, 2023.