The Plenary of the Municipal Council approved the Medals of Honour of Barcelona 2026 this Friday, which recognise individuals and entities for their civic contributions. Among the awardees are Juan de Dios Ramírez-Heredia, Joan Oliveras, Isidre Gutiérrez, Imma Colomer, and Mari Chordà.
The municipal plenary of Barcelona has given the green light this Friday to the city's Medals of Honour for the year 2026. The awardees, which include five prominent citizens and around twenty proposals from the districts, have been unanimously approved by all political groups —Junts, PSC, BComú, ERC, and PP— with the abstention of Vox.
The medals, created in 1997 to mark the centenary of the aggregation of towns in the plain, recognise those individuals and entities whose professional or social work has contributed to the development of civic consciousness and civic values. This year, the awards come in a context of advocating for social cohesion and cultural diversity in the Catalan capital.
Among the city awardees stands out Juan de Dios Ramírez-Heredia, recognised for his work in defending the rights of the Roma people and for making Barcelona a benchmark against discrimination. Alongside him, Joan Oliveras i Baguès has been distinguished for his contribution to the city's artistic and craft heritage, while Isidre Gutiérrez de Tena has received the medal for his civic and social commitment, especially in supporting unemployed individuals and those in vulnerable situations.
The cultural sector also has significant representation. Imma Colomer Marcet, an essential figure in contemporary Catalan theatre and founder of the Teatre Lliure, receives the medal coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the institution. Meanwhile, Mari Chordà Recasens is awarded for her multidisciplinary career as a painter, poet, and feminist activist, driving multiple collective social and cultural initiatives.
The proposals from the districts, which have been elevated by the district councils, complement the list with a broad representation of Barcelona's civil society. In Ciutat Vella, Josep Lluís Esteras “el Iaio” has been recognised for over 50 years dedicated to the community and the transmission of festive traditions through the Association of Friends of the Giants of Pi. The Agrupació de Comerciants i Industrials de la Barceloneta (ACIB) also receives the medal for its defence of local commerce and quality gastronomy for over 70 years.
In the Eixample district, Trinitat Capdevila i Burniol has been distinguished for her active participation in institutional and community bodies to make Eixample a more welcoming space for residents. In turn, Trapelles de Sant Antoni has been awarded for nearly two decades dedicated to bringing the world of fire and popular culture to children in the neighbourhood.
In Sants-Montjuïc, Luisa Montero Jodorovich has received the medal for her defence of the rights of the Marina community and her fight against racism and segregation. The Orfeó Atlàntida, with a century-long history of promoting choral singing rooted in Hostafrancs, has also been honoured.
In the Les Corts district, the Associació de Veïns de Sant Ramon Nonat has been recognised for its defence of collective well-being and the improvement of quality of life in the La Maternitat and Sant Ramon neighbourhood. Jordi Lobo i Sastre has received the medal for his work in special education and the associative movement in Les Corts and Pedralbes.
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi has proposed the Fundació TEAS, which works for the social inclusion of adults with intellectual and multiple disabilities through art and psychocorporal work. Lluís Amat has also been awarded for his commitment to community action and improving living conditions in the Pedralbes neighbourhood.
In Gràcia, Conxita Casanovas has been distinguished as a reference in journalism and film criticism in Catalonia, and L'Independent de Gràcia has received the medal as a model of local journalism that has given voice to residents and local entities.
Horta-Guinardó has proposed Robert Manrique Ripoll, recognised for his commitment and service to victims of terrorism, and Montserrat Pujolar i Giménez, for her artistic and cultural trajectory committed to Catalan music.
Finally, in Nou Barris, the Associació de Comerciants de Roquetes has been awarded for its work in favour of local commerce and coexistence, and the Vocalia de Dones – Centre Cultural García has received the medal for its contribution to community life.
The Medals of Honour of Barcelona 2026 will be awarded at an institutional event that will take place soon in the city, on a date yet to be confirmed. The awardees join a list that since 1997 has distinguished hundreds of individuals and entities that have made Barcelona a more civic and supportive city.
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