«Today, on the day of San Isidro, Madrid has dressed up to celebrate its main festival and does so by honoring those who make it a great city,» said the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, during the ceremony of awarding the honorary distinctions that the City Council grants on May 15 to individuals and institutions who «with their talent and commitment have contributed to making the capital a meeting point and a place of progress that we can be proud of.»
With the figure of San Isidro as a model, «a simple man, an icon of the virtues that have shaped this city: constant work, generosity, humility, and discretion,» Almeida encouraged looking to the past to gain momentum for the future and urged the people of Madrid to «celebrate with pride who we are and what we have achieved in order to continue building a welcoming, vibrant, and just city, and for Madrid to remain the crossroads where great stories begin.»
The mayor emphasized the responsibility as the capital of Spain to be «an example of harmony, freedom, effort, and mutual respect,» for which, he emphasized, «we have the king, a symbol of stability and unity.» Almeida stated that Madrid wants to continue being «an icon of Spain» and «a flagship of this great nation,» appealing to the humble and hardworking life of San Isidro that «reminds us that greatness is built with perseverance» and urged those present «not to settle,» because, in his words, «the Madrid of the future will be even more dynamic and captivating than the one we enjoy today.»
The individuals and entities that have contributed in a special way to make «Madrid buzz with unstoppable energy» have received from the mayor the Medals of Honor and the Medals of Madrid, in a ceremony held in the Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace, which was attended by the deputy mayor, Inma Sanz, members of the Government team, and spokespersons of the municipal groups.
Pérez Simón, ‘Rodri’ and Perales, Medals of Honor of the City of Madrid 2025
Art collector Juan Antonio Pérez Simón «has been assembling what may be the most important private collection of artworks in the world at the moment,» highlighted the mayor, which includes over 4,000 pieces from six centuries of art, with works by masters such as El Greco, Goya, Monet, and Picasso. In 2024, his exhibition at CentroCentro attracted 90,000 visitors. Soon, «a large part of this amazing collection will transform the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen into a ‘Golden Square’,» Almeida indicated, as it will have a permanent location in Madrid, at the Serrería Belga Cultural Space. Madrid thanks this beauty enthusiast with this Medal of Honor.
Midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, ‘Rodri,’ is one of the standout players for Manchester City and the Spanish national team. «He has stood out throughout his career for his tactical intelligence, vision of the game, and physical solidity,» in the words of the councilor. He has won multiple titles, including the Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament. In 2024, he received the Ballon d’Or, becoming the second Spanish player to achieve this. But, above all, he deserves this Medal of Honor «for his example of humility, leadership, and the unique elegance and effectiveness of his playing style.»
Teresa Perales is the most decorated athlete in the Paralympic Games, with 28 medals, equaling Michael Phelps’s record. Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, she has also won 22 medals in adapted swimming world championships. The mayor described her as «a symbol of overcoming challenges and a staunch advocate for inclusion, inspiring with her mental strength, social commitment, and unmatched sporting legacy.»
Fifteen Medals of Madrid for the arts, sports, solidarity, and the economy
This year, the Medal of Madrid distinction falls on 15 names that represent the soul of the capital in various activities, from traditional commerce and the development of the Madrid business sector to culture, solidarity, and sports.
The world of arts recognizes the contribution of writer Carmen Posadas, who embodies narrative elegance and the cultural bridge between continents, illuminating Madrid’s soul with her pen. The Association of Bookstores of Cuesta de Moyano, on the other hand, is applauded for embodying the most cultured spirit of the city. Its 30 booths safeguard a century of stories and enrich the cultural and social landscape of the capital.
The Alcázar Theater, a living history of Madrid’s performing arts, receives the Medal of Madrid because it continues to be a vibrant and eternal beacon of Madrid’s artistic life, just like the Pavón Theater, recently restored by José Maya and Gonzalo Pérez Pastor. Both spaces receive this award coinciding with their centenary.
The Royal Photographic Society receives the Medal of Madrid for its 125-year trajectory of promoting and disseminating photography as an artistic expression. Alongside it, the Association of Centennial Restaurants and Taverns of Madrid (RCM) also receives this recognition for keeping alive the gastronomic traditions that have flavored the city for generations.
In the sports field, the value of La Vuelta a España, one of the most prestigious cycling competitions in the world, has been recognized. The City Council awards this medal for placing Madrid as the stage for its final leg since 1979 and contributing to positioning the capital as the epicenter of sporting passions. Another Medal of Madrid has been awarded to Plaza 1-Las Ventas, the largest bullring in Spain and one of the architectural gems of the city. Officially inaugurated in 1934, it had an audience of nearly a million people last year.
Contributions to the business and social development of the city have also been deserving of recognition from the City Council. Endesa, on its 80th anniversary, is distinguished for its commitment to driving national policy towards ecological transition. Additionally, the Medal of Madrid distinguishes this year María Dolores Dancausa, financial director and president of Bankinter, who reflects excellence and social commitment and has a strong connection to Madrid, where she promotes projects for vulnerable sectors.
The San José Institute Foundation. Brothers of St. John of God is a benchmark in caring for people with disabilities and focuses its efforts on improving the quality of life and dignity of its users. It has received the Medal of Madrid for being a beacon of solidarity that has served the most vulnerable for 125 years with commitment.
Also honored is María Luisa Gutiérrez, an irreplaceable figure in Spanish cinema, whose success with La Infiltrada has crowned a career in the film industry that has established her as an influential voice in Madrid’s culture.
Among the awardees are names linked to the centennial heritage and identity of Madrid, such as Almacén de Pontejos, an undisputed reference in the world of haberdashery for four generations, receiving this distinction as a Madrid treasure where daily customers always find what they are looking for.
The Cervantes-León pharmacy, with over three centuries of history caring for the health of the people of Madrid, is one of the ten oldest businesses in Madrid and, in the heart of the Literary Quarter, continues, century after century, to serve its neighbors.
For their spirit of solidarity and their vocation to help the most vulnerable, the Pato Amarillo Association has received the Medal of Madrid, which emerged in the 1980s as part of the ‘Mothers against drugs’ movement in Orcasitas. Their work demonstrates the power of citizen initiative, enriching the heart of Madrid.
The ceremony for the awarding of the honorary distinctions of the city of Madrid featured a musical performance by Carlos Goñi and concluded with the rendition of the national anthem by the Municipal Symphony Band. /
