The mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, attended the presentation of the IV Fundación Cajasol Tradition Awards, which this year were awarded to Vicente Soto ‘Sordera’ and Fermín Bohórquez. These awards recognise key elements of Jerez's identity, including flamenco, wine, horses, and culture.
García-Pelayo praised the honourees, stating, "two individuals who have spent many years defending the unique identity of Jerez and its art." She expressed gratitude to Antonio Pulido and the Fundación Cajasol for highlighting those who have nurtured and promoted the city's roots. "Congratulations to Vicente Soto and Fermín Bohórquez; thanks to your families and all who have shared in your journeys, and thank you to these awards for recognising those who preserve our identity. Conserving and transmitting tradition is also building the future," she concluded.
Vicente Soto has shown that remaining true to traditional flamenco does not preclude engaging with literature and other performing arts, thereby reaching diverse audiences. He has received several prestigious flamenco awards, including the National Prize of Córdoba, the Pastora Pavón Award, the Mairena del Alcor Award, and the National Flamenco Singing Award 2023, granted by the Flamencology Chair of Jerez.
Fermín Bohórquez comes from a family deeply rooted in equestrian culture and bullfighting. He made his debut in 1985 and retired as a professional horseman in Jerez in 2015, having spent thirty years in the arena. His life has been intertwined with the countryside and equestrian culture, recognising the families, workers, and professionals who keep the traditions of livestock and bullfighting alive.
Through these awards, Fundación Cajasol acknowledges the contributions of both individuals to the preservation and promotion of two expressions closely tied to Jerez's identity: the equestrian world and bullfighting, as well as flamenco, which are undeniable cornerstones of the city’s cultural heritage.
The Tradition Awards were established to recognise and value the efforts of individuals who have significantly contributed to the conservation, dissemination, and promotion of Jerez's traditions and culture. The first edition took place in 2023, focusing on those who have made their professional and personal journeys a means of preserving and transmitting key elements of Jerez's identity: wine, horses, flamenco, bullfighting, and the cultural expressions that form part of the city's heritage.
Fundación Cajasol views tradition as a living heritage, a legacy passed down from previous generations that must not only be preserved but also nurtured, disseminated, and transmitted to new generations. In this regard, the Tradition Awards recognise those who have played a prominent role in this endeavour and have also contributed to promoting the name of Jerez both within and beyond Andalucía.
In its inaugural edition in 2023, the awards were given to Mauricio González-Gordon for his connection to Jerez's winemaking tradition, and Luis Erquicia Domecq for his career in the equestrian and livestock sectors. The second edition honoured Álvaro Domecq, closely associated with horses and bullfighting, and José Mercé, a prominent figure in Jerez flamenco. The third edition in 2025 recognised Helena Rivero, president of Bodegas Tradición, along with horsemen Luis Domecq and Antonio Domecq.
