The Zurbarán Cultural Association of Badalona has awarded its 'Extremaduran of the Year' recognition to Raquel del Puerto, president of the Badajoz Provincial Council.
The president of the Badajoz Provincial Council, Raquel del Puerto, has been honoured as 'Extremaduran of the Year' by the Zurbarán Cultural Association of Badalona. The award ceremony took place this Tuesday in the Paraninfo hall of the provincial palace of Badajoz, where she also received the painting 'Roots', created by artist David Palomero, winner of the Zurbarán International Painting Competition.
José López, honorary president of the Badalona association and coordinator of the competition, was responsible for presenting the award and the artwork. The painting, an oil on canvas, depicts folded fabrics in green, white, and black tones as a metaphor for roots intertwining without losing their origin, as explained by Palomero himself, who is originally from Don Benito but has lived outside Extremadura for a decade.
After receiving the award, Del Puerto expressed her gratitude for the recognition, which she described as “very special” because it comes from Extremadurans who have built their lives far from their homeland. “For me, it is an honour and a satisfaction that fellow countrymen who are far from their land have considered me the character of the year,” she stated.
The president emphasised that the award reflects the awareness of the importance of her role and the Badajoz Provincial Council for the province. “I receive the appointment and the painting with much pride and gratitude,” she added. She also praised the work of the Zurbarán association, which keeps Extremaduran traditions alive among emigrants from Badalona.
“Congratulations on the work you are doing to ensure that those Extremadurans who are abroad never feel far from their land,” Del Puerto affirmed, congratulating the entity for organising the International Painting Competition and its commitment to promoting Extremaduran culture.
The artwork 'Roots' will become part of the artistic heritage of the Badajoz Provincial Council. Its president highlighted the symbolism of the creation, which represents the bond between those who emigrated and the land that saw them born. “The painting will be displayed from today in this institution. Let’s say that a part of you will be permanently in your province, in your region,” she assured.
Del Puerto valued the work of regional houses and associations as “true ambassadors” of Extremadura and encouraged them to continue passing on their legacy to new generations. She reiterated the commitment of institutions to ensure that those who wish to return find opportunities in the region. “We will continue working so that those who left and want to return can do so with the same opportunities they had wherever they went,” she concluded.
José López, known as Pepín, recalled that the association is the result of 24 years of Extremaduran emigration and the desire to bring Extremaduran culture to the “host territories.” The entity, based in Badalona, organises the Zurbarán International Painting Competition each year, which awards works inspired by Extremaduran identity.
The 'Extremaduran of the Year' distinction recognises individuals who stand out for their connection to Extremadura, both within and outside the region. In previous editions, other politicians, artists, and athletes of Extremaduran origin have been honoured.
The Zurbarán Association of Badalona has several hundred members and develops cultural, gastronomic, and folkloric activities to keep Extremaduran culture alive in Barcelonès. The next planned event is the celebration of the Day of Extremadura, which will take place in September.
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