Los Premios Cabildo Insular de La Palma 2025: Homenaje a la sociedad y cultura de la Isla

The celebration of this event will coincide with the anniversary of the island Corporation, which takes place on March 16

The Cabildo de La Palma will celebrate a new edition of its Insular Awards, which pay tribute to personalities and entities that have played an essential role in various areas of the island. The presentation of these awards will take place next Sunday, March 16, in a solemn ceremony that coincides with the 112th anniversary of the island Corporation.

The President of the Cabildo, Sergio Rodríguez, emphasizes the importance of remembering that the Cabildo, «the highest governing body on the island, is a symbol of democracy that we must proudly uphold and protect the people who have been elected by the citizens to represent their interests, something that should be a triumph for those of us who make up the island’s Plenary, but also a responsibility to our neighbors,» he defends.

The Cabildo Insular Awards of La Palma 2025 will recognize individuals and entities of the island in key areas such as culture and historical heritage; science and innovation; outstanding career for professionals in the public and private sectors; other exceptional merits, and social and community action.

Awards from the Cabildo Insular of La Palma

In this way, the island Cabildo has unanimously agreed to award the Insular Prize in the category of Culture and Historical Heritage to the Folkloric Group Echentive, to the Association Caballos Fufos, and posthumously to the artist José Alberto. In the category of Science and Innovation to Jesús Martín Fernández; in the category of Outstanding Career for Professionals in the Public or Private Sectors to Yurbin Magdalena Viñas Bello, and in the category of Other Exceptional Merits to Alfonso Escalero Suz. Finally, in the category of Social and Community Action, the awarded entities are Funcataes and Fundación Solidaridad, as well as Carmen María Acosta Lorenzo.

In this sense, the Folkloric Group Echentive has been a fundamental pillar in the preservation and dissemination of Palmero folklore for fifty years, while the doctor Jesús Martín Fernández has excelled in recent years in neurosurgery by developing a test based on artificial intelligence to identify and preserve the emotions of patients during awake brain surgeries.

On the other hand, Carmen María Acosta Lorenzo has been a central figure in the festive and cultural development of the Carnival of La Palma, with over 40 years of experience alongside the Tirimara de Argual Neighbors Association to enrich the cultural life of the community and strengthen the world of Carnival in the island of La Palma.

Alfonso Escalero Suz, CEO of the company I love the World, played a crucial role during the volcanic eruption of Tajogaite, as his work on documentation and information dissemination was essential to keep the population and the world informed about the evolution of this natural phenomenon. Additionally, he contributed socially and economically to the recovery of the affected individuals by donating the profits from the publication ‘The other stories of the volcano’.

The Canarian Foundation Solidarity La Palma is a reference point on the Beautiful Island in the care and attention of dependent elderly people. An entity that celebrates 25 years of existence this year, but whose social journey, always in favor of the neediest people, dates back several decades before its foundation year with various charitable activities.

Regarding José Alberto Cabrera Rodríguez, he is one of the great artistic exponents of the Beautiful Island from the late 20th century and into the 21st, especially linked to the art of engraving. A creative passion that he cultivated from a young age in the universe of the plastic arts. In this case, it is a title that will be given to this artist posthumously in recognition of his career in the world of culture.

Yurbin Magdalena Viñas Bello has a distinguished career in the judicial field. Currently, she is a member of the Body of Legal Secretaries of Justice on leave and, since February 2020, she is part of the prosecutorial career with the category of Prosecutor in the Territorial Section of La Palma, belonging to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. She is the only prosecutor of the natural territorial section of La Palma, which makes her a reference for the legal profession on the island.

The Caballos Fufos, which are celebrated on the eve of San Miguel Arcángel, every September 28 since 1909, have increased in popularity, both inside and outside the Villa and Port of Tazacorte, becoming the most anticipated festive moment for residents and tourists of all ages. In 2007, the Plenary of the City Council of the Villa and Port of Tazacorte approved the motion presented by Unión Bagañeta to declare the Dance of the Caballos Fufos as a Cultural Interest Asset of the Spanish State (B.I.C.).

Regarding the Canarian Special Taburiente Foundation, FUNCATAES, it began its journey in 2009 although it had been carrying out its work through the Taburiente Occupational Center since 1978. As an entity, it has always had as its main objective to collaborate in the care of people with intellectual disabilities and their environment, providing educational and care resources for their integration into society. Additionally, it has contributed to the socio-labor integration of people with intellectual disabilities, while promoting leisure and free time initiatives that enhance the autonomy of individuals, reinforcing their self-esteem and their ability to navigate different realities and environments.