The Regional Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Carmen Crespo, the Regional Minister of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, Ramón Fernández Pacheco, presided over the ceremony of the presentation of the Andalusian Flags on the occasion of the celebration of the 28-F. The Andalusian Regional Government delegate in Almería, Aránzazu Martín, and the mayoress of the town, María del Mar Vázquez, also took part in the ceremony, which was held in the Maestro Padilla Auditorium.
The Regional Minister Carmen Crespo pointed out that the 28-F is «a date which, once again this year, allows us to show the modern, leading and competitive Andalusia that we are building without complexes, with a society that believes in the present and the future of this land and that wishes to continue advancing, innovating and growing».
Crespo congratulated all the winners of this year’s ‘Flags of Andalusia’ and highlighted the «idiosyncrasy of Almeria, a land that is a world example in water efficiency and on which European food sovereignty depends, as it feeds 500 million Europeans with its fruit and vegetables». The Regional Minister expressed her «firm support» for the farmers’ «just demands» and stressed that «European directives must prioritise the balance between environmental sustainability and farm profitability». She also recalled the need to implement mirror clauses in trade agreements with third countries, to reinforce controls at Border Inspection Posts and to make the CAP more flexible.
The Minister of Agriculture also highlighted the Andalusian Regional Government’s «unprecedented commitment to water, which already accounts for 42% of the Andalusian Regional Government’s public works, with four drought decrees in place and reaching major consensus agreements in favour of the long-awaited water balance that we must achieve together to continue providing Andalusia with great possibilities».
For his part, the Minister of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy and spokesman for the Andalusian Regional Government, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, stressed that the award winners are «the best presentation of a province that has been able to stand on its own» and acknowledged that «thanks to people, companies and groups like you, today Almería is a benchmark in Andalusia, Spain and Europe». Fernández-Pacheco also emphasised that «fortunately for everyone, the Andalusia of today is different to that of a few years ago». «With the efforts of everyone and with an Andalusian government that has placed the Andalusians at the centre of its policies, we have managed to free our community from the ties that have held it back for too many years,» he said.
Along these lines, Fernández-Pacheco said he was proud of a «leading Andalusia». «We are leaders in exports, leaders in hydraulic works, leaders in the creation of the self-employed, leaders in aid to protected natural areas… And leaders also in putting our soul into what we do, leaders in welcoming, leaders in giving courage to each day, leaders in demanding more and more of ourselves, leaders in the art of feeling and leaders in smiles. Andalusia is a leader and Almeria contributes to this leadership», he concluded.
The delegate of the Andalusian Regional Government in Almería, Aránzazu Martín, stressed that «for all of us, this day represents much more than a festive celebration; it is a symbol of identity and belonging. It is an opportunity to celebrate the richness of our culture, the diversity of our heritage and the warmth of our people. It is a time to remember our traditions rooted in centuries of history, and to pay tribute to the great figures who have left an indelible mark on our land».
Martín added that «today we are all here to accompany and support the great protagonists: the winners of the Flags of Andalusia 2024». «Because the development and progress of Almeria are forged day by day by the commitment and collaboration of entrepreneurs, professionals, groups and the civil society of Almeria, whose joint effort, with the support of the Andalusian Government, is the engine that drives growth and prosperity in the region.
that drives the growth and prosperity of our province».
The Mayoress of Almeria, María del Mar Vázquez, has valued the change that Andalusia has made in recent years and has listed some of the promises fulfilled in the city such as the Maternal-Children’s Hospital, the boost to the rehabilitation of the Town Hall, the health centre of Piedras Redondas or the works of the pipeline of La Pipa, among many others. «We have said goodbye to the Andalusia of grievance and comparison. Andalusia today is a platform of opportunities and shared illusions. And Almeria aspires to gain more and more weight and prominence in the new time that our community is living», she said.
«I am convinced that Almeria will continue to say a lot and contribute a lot in this new time of addition and inclusion that Andalusia is experiencing, to benefit the whole of the society from which we come and which we serve,» added the mayoress, who also congratulated the winners during her speech.
2023 Awards
The ceremony was attended by mayors of the province, representatives of the Security Forces and Corps, members of parliament, provincial deputies, the secretary general of the Subdelegation of Almeria and military and civilian authorities of the province.
The recipients of the Andalusian Flags in Almería are:
Social Sciences and Literature. María Nieves Artero Jiménez
The Andalusian flag in the category of Social Sciences and Literature has been awarded «for her love of journalism, truth and objectivity» to the Almería journalist María Nieves Artero Jiménez, who has carried out important work in the media in Almería.
For 45 years she has been linked to Radio Popular – COPE Almería. During this time her voice has been a point of reference. She has been awarded the gold shield, is a life member of the Press Association of Almería (AP-APAL) and has been honoured for her commitment to equality by the City Council of Almería.
Andalusian Flag of the Arts. Almería Cathedral, 500 years and Peña El Morato
On 4 October 2024 the V Centenary of the laying of the first stone of the Cathedral will be commemorated. On this occasion, His Holiness Pope Francis has granted the «Jubilee Year» until 6 October 2024. This is an event that goes beyond the religious boundary, being a building that, being fundamentally the fruit of the faith of a people, has become one of the most significant icons of the city due to its character as a church-fortress and the so-called «Sun of Portocarrero».
It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument belonging to the National Artistic Treasure in 1931, being the only Cathedral in Spain that, being a fortress, is exclusive and unique. The V Centenary has an unavoidable cultural dimension as it is a building with different styles that intermingle in the factory, and the different major and minor arts that have left their indelible mark on it, such as architecture, sculpture, painting, goldsmithing, wrought ironwork and glasswork.
El Morato Flamenco Club
The Peña El Morato was founded on 3 April 1981 with the aim of preserving, promoting and spreading Flamenco Art in its three disciplines: singing, guitar playing and dancing. It has been spreading the Flamenco Art for 43 years, through a pedagogical work with the formation of new values, offering its recitals and concerts for its members, but also with open doors so that the citizens of Almería can attend.
It also shows its solidarity with charitable institutions, shows the student population the greatness of the Flamenco Art and promotes the associationism of the peñas, being the founder of the Federation of Peñas Flamencas de Almería and co-founder of the Confederation of Peñas Flamencas de Andalucía.
It is also committed to quality tourism through activities in favour of culture, integration, solidarity and the dissemination of the Art, considered Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Andalusian Flag of Sport. Anastasiya Dmitriv
At the age of 15, Anastasiya Dmitriv has won two gold medals at the World Swimming Championships held in Manchester last year. She will be presented with the flag for being «an example of self-improvement, struggle and courage for all athletes».
In the previous World Championships she had already been proclaimed champion and at the beginning of the year the swimmer of Ukrainian origin managed to surpass herself and beat the European and World record in the 400m freestyle SM9 with an unbeatable record, demonstrating that there are no limits for her and that she is capable of surpassing all the established records. She is currently preparing for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Just a few months ago she received the Andalusia Sports Award 2023 for the best Sportswoman with a disability.
Andalusian Flag of Solidarity and Concord. Eduarda Justo Foundation
The Eduarda Justo Foundation promotes leadership and educational, social and business development in Spain and especially in the province of Almeria, where it is based. Set up by the Cosentino Group in 2006, it owes its name to Doña Eduarda Justo, mother of the three founders and an example of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and social commitment.
Inspired by her and her values, the foundation is focused on promoting the development of talent, values and the desire for continuous improvement of young people with the potential to become future leaders, through three fundamental activities: The Leaders of the Future Seminar (SLF), International scholarships for young people studying high school and The Leading Schools project.
Andalusian Flag of Economy and Enterprise. Primaflor Chair
The Primaflor Chair of Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Food deserves the recognition of the Andalusian flag because it aims to promote knowledge generation, transfer and dissemination in sustainable agriculture, seeking improvements in farming practices through training and agricultural innovation for a better use of natural resources, reducing emissions and increasing the efficiency of inputs and offsetting biodiversity.
It also concentrates its efforts on healthy eating, promoting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet as a food model based on a high consumption of products such as vegetables and their derivatives that guarantee nutritional intake and whose promotion constitutes a commitment to the health of future generations.
Andalusian Flag of Science and Health. José Antonio Lorente Acosta
Dr. José Antonio Lorente, born in Serón, is Professor of Legal and Forensic Medicine at the University of Granada and Director of the Laboratory of Genetic Identification.
He received the Extraordinary Doctorate Award, was a post-doctoral researcher at the German Universities of Heidelberg and Münster, did further studies at the FBI Academy (Quantico, Virginia) and at the University of California at Berkeley, where he became an expert in human genetic identification and forensic genetics.
He is a scholarship holder of the DAAD (German Federal Government), the NATO Scientific Committee, the Spanish Government and the Andalusian Regional Government.
He created the FÉNIX Programme for the identification of missing persons, the first of its kind in the world, and created and founded the DNA-PROKIDS Programme for the Genetic Identification of Missing Children, which operates in more than 22 laboratories in 16 different countries and has achieved the identification and return to their families of more than 1,500 children, preventing child trafficking and illegal adoptions.
He is currently working on the development of the DNA-ProORGAN Programme, designed to combat organ trafficking, and developed in conjunction with the Spanish Medical Association and the National Transplant Organisation. Professor Lorente is also director of the GENYO Centre – Pfizer – University of Granada – Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncology Research.
Andalusian Flag for the Projection of the Province. Almeria Circuit
The Almeria Circuit, located in Tabernas, hosts several official competitions of different autonomous communities, the most important being the Andalusian Motorcycling Championship. Due to its low rainfall and its geographical location, it is chosen by many teams of the World Motorcycling Championship and the British Superbike Championship for their pre-season training.
During the last few years the Almeria Circuit has been gaining popularity and prestige, appearing in video games and hosting driver selection programmes for the women’s Formula 1, the W Series. In addition, clients and top level brands, both nationally and internationally, choose this circuit for their tests.
Flag of Andalusia for environmental merit. CECOUAL
The Research Centre for Scientific Collections of the University of Almeria (CECOUAL), with a staff of more than 50 researchers from a total of 6 areas of knowledge, has as its main objectives research in bio- and geodiversity, didactics, collection management and dissemination using scientific collections as its main focus.
In its commitment to knowledge and the protection of nature, in addition to its research work and collaborating with non-governmental organisations and administrations in a multitude of projects, it carries out intense educational and dissemination work, with citizen science activities and projects, such as «Urban Biodiversity in the Educational Centres of Spain», the «AmBioBlitz» biodiversity study days, the geology olympiads or the environmental science educational projects competition.
Andalusian Flag for Human Values. En Familia por Derecho
The association «En Familia por Derecho» has been working for 9 years to ensure that all children in the province of Almería grow up in the warmth of a family that gives them protection, affection, emotional security and a space where they can grow up happy, safe and secure with the affection they need. Its mission is to ensure that no child is homeless.
Its purpose is not only to give material and emotional support to the families who join the foster care project, but it goes further, promoting foster care as an institution that is as necessary as it is valuable. The Andalusian Regional Government recognises the selfless dedication, boundless love and the struggle to overcome that these families carry out so that foster children can have a happy childhood.
Flag of Andalusia in recognition of the Special Trajectory. Juan José Giménez Martínez
This academic, now retired and born in Almeria, obtained his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Granada, beginning his time as a professor at the University College of Almeria, where he organised the Department of Organic Chemistry, initiating the implementation of this subject in the old CUA facilities.
He was one of the driving forces behind the affiliation to the University of Granada and actively participated in the transformation of the University College into the University of Almeria, where he was vice-rector of University Extension and Students. He was also responsible for achieving the first Summer Courses of the UAL in collaboration with the International University of Andalusia and for the development of several projects that were the backbone of the new building of the current University of Almeria, whose research and practical laboratory bears his name.
He has published several scientific publications in high impact journals, directing different doctoral theses and publishing the book «Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Chemists» and «The Kitchen with a Taste of Science».