The Xunta de Galicia has celebrated the presentation of the Ourensanía 2026 prizes, which recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations to the cultural and social development of the province. The ceremony took place on the eve of San Martiño, the patron saint of the city.
Attending the event were Xosé Merelles, the director of Tourism for Galicia; Manuel Pardo, the delegate of the Xunta in Ourense; Ángel Miramontes, the director general of Cultural Heritage; and Marta Vázquez Guzmán, the director general of Self-Employed and Social Economy.
This year marks the sixteenth edition of the awards, created by the Provincial Council of Ourense in 2011. The prizes aim to honour individuals, groups, and institutions that contribute to the prestige and projection of the province across various fields, including culture, science, business, and sports.
Coral de Ruada was recognised for its longstanding commitment to preserving and promoting Galician traditional music and culture. Meanwhile, Marita Souto Figueroa received the Ourensanía de Honra award posthumously for her scientific contributions to the study of mineral-medicinal waters and the thermal heritage of Ourense, both of which are vital for enhancing the province's cultural and tourism resources.
