The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, accompanied by the councilor of Arganzuela, Lola Navarro; The dean of the Vile chroniclers’ body, Pedro Montoliú, family members and colleagues of the journalist Ángel del Río, unveiled this morning the new name of the Integrated District Center, dedicated to Ángel del Río, chronicler of the city and one of the most prominent journalists in the city’s information scene in recent decades, who passed away in February 2022.
«Any of those who came before me, I am sure, feels the same gratitude for a life as fruitful and dedicated to Madrid as Ángel del Río’s,» said Almeida in front of former Mayor José María Álvarez del Manzano and Ana Botella, present at this tribute to a man «who deeply loved Madrid, who embodied the best of journalistic history and respect, and who understood that in Madrid we must grow together, shoulder to shoulder»; Therefore, «Ángel del Río will always have the memory and gratitude of this city.»
The district councilor emphasized the significance of this day «for the city and especially for Arganzuela, because Ángel del Río, beyond being an exceptional journalist, a prolific writer, and an embedded preacher, was, above all, passionate about Madrid.»
Starting today, users of the Ángel del Río Integrated Center can view documents, photos, writings, and even the proclamation of San Isidro that the journalist delivered in 2003, donated by his family to the Municipal Council. The renaming of the center is in response to the unanimous agreement reached in the district council meeting, as part of the Madrid Memory Plan, an initiative created by the local council in 1990 to acknowledge events and individuals who have left a lasting mark on any area or aspect of the city.
Ángel del Río, a jewel of the city
Born in Madrid on November 14, 1950, Ángel del Río and his professional career began in 1969 at the newspaper YA. Although his early articles were on sports, he soon shifted focus to local news and for 16 years served as the news director for Madrid at this newspaper.
In 1977, he was named the chronicler of Getafe and founded the local publication. His radio career flourished at Cope Madrid, where he worked for over 30 years, 26 of them as the news director. He also collaborated with numerous media outlets, including Razón, Telemadrid, and Ona Madrid.
Author of around 40 books, his profound knowledge of Madrid led to him being appointed the official city chronicler in February 1999. / / /
