Provincial pride knows no borders
British ambassador Simon Manley was among the recipients of Malaga awards on Thursday
antonio M. Romero
Sábado, 28 de abril 2018, 15:49
The celebration of the 15th Day of the Province took place in the church of Santiago Apóstol in Monda, built in 1505 on the site of a former mosque.
Held on 26 April every year since 2004, the event commemorates the date the first democratic provincial corporation was constituted after the dictatorship, and highlights Malaga's identity and roots.
Regino Hernández
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This year's winners
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On 15 February this year Regino Hernández made sporting history by winning a bronze medal for snowboarding at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. It was the first time in 26 years that a Spanish athlete had won a medal at these games. Regino, who was born in Ceuta but has lived in Mijas most of his life and says he is a 'malagueño' by adoption, was the third Spaniard to achieve it. The Malaga gold medal with which he was presented on Thursday is the latest in a number of awards he has received in recognition of his skill and talent at his chosen sport.
Every year gold medals and other distinctions are presented by the provincial government to outstanding individuals and institutions in the fields of culture, the arts, science, research, education, sport, charity, environmental protection and economic entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneur Federico Beltrán
This year the recipients of the awards were the Hermanitas de los Pobres, the newspaper El Sol de Antequera, Olympic bronze medallist Regino Hernández and businessman Federico Beltrán, all of whom were presented with the gold medal of the province.
There was also a special award for the UK's Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, after the proposal was approved by the provincial government with votes in favour from the PP, Ciudadanos and the PSOE. The IU and Malaga Ahora parties abstained.
On receiving the award the ambassador highlighted the links between Malaga and the UK. This province is in the hearts of the British, he said, adding that Brexit would not stop Britons visiting and investing in the province
Las Hermanitas de los Pobres
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For the past 153 years, the Hermanitas de los Pobres - a community of Catholic nuns which was founded in France in 1839 - has been working to help disadvantaged elderly people in its residences in Malaga province. The provincial government (Diputación de Malaga) decided to pay public and institutional tribute to the nuns' spirit of generosity and dedication by awarding the community a Malaga gold medal this year. The Hermanitas de los Pobres community is held in great regard and affection by people in the province.
