José Castellano Tejera “Pucho”, Cecilia Lugo Ramos, Kirian Rodríguez Concepción and Nicolás Walkirio González Carrillo, posthumously, are the residents of Candelaria who, within the framework of the festivities of Santa Ana and Virgen del Carmen, received the Medals of Merit 2023 at the opening ceremony of the festivities, held tonight on Wednesday, July 5.
From the portico of the Parish of Santa Ana, the mayoress of Villa Mariana, Mari Brito, opened the act by thanking the people honored and their families for their attendance and stressed that “it has always been and will continue to be a constant of this Corporation the recognition public and the enhancement of a multitude of citizens of Candelaria who stand out for their service to others.
On this occasion, Candelaria recognized 4 “very special” people, in the words of the president; She who was accompanied by the Official Chronicler of the municipality, Octavio Rodríguez, who made a portrait of the laureates, and Francisco Pinto, Councilor for Institutional Relations.
“Pucho” received the Medal of Merit at Work, “a tireless and courageous man, as a businessman, whose closeness and charisma are part of Candelaria’s DNA, as is his hardware store,” Brito said during his speech. Cecilia Lugo, Medal of Social Merit, is a dedicated woman with a generous and altruistic heart, who has always helped in the Parish of Santa Ana and all those who make up this community, through Cáritas Interparroquial. The soccer player Kirian Rodríguez received the Medal of Sports Merit, a young man “whose achievements, the candelarieros, we understand as ours,” highlighted the mayoress, who also highlighted the figure of Walkirio González, Posthumous Medal of Cultural Merit. “These holidays are emotional, they may be a little sadder than the last ones because we cannot celebrate this medal with our dear neighbor Walkirio. However, even if it is difficult, I ask that today we celebrate his life, that we remember moments with him and bring him here, to this square, to these festivities that he lived and enjoyed so much. El Pozo street this year continues with its tradition and will show the beautiful salt carpets that the residents of the area prepare with so much love. And that is the greatest gift and show of respect and affection towards the memory of our winner, ”she commented excitedly.
Kirian Rodríguez intervened on behalf of the honorees, thanking and showing his pride in receiving these medals that will remain in the memory for being the first.
The Emuná group enlivened the evening with a repertoire made up of various styles, which allow a tour of popular songs from the Canary Islands songbook, passing through Argentina, Cuba and Mexico and even some of the most recognized songs by the great Spanish singer-songwriters.
The festivities will continue this Friday, July 7, with the Night on the Dock, with the Tapas and Wine and Cuban Music Fair starting at 8:00 p.m. in the Plaza de Los Pescadores.
Merit Badges 2023
On January 26, 2023, the Regulation of Honors, Distinctions and Ceremonial of the Illustrious City Council of Candelaria was definitively approved, which contemplates the awarding of 4 medals for cultural, social, sports and work merit, for residents or groups that excel in those fields.
The granting of distinctions to businessmen and workers who have developed all or part of their activity in the municipality, will be intended to recognize exceptional qualities, as well as their dedication and delivery to the task. The Cultural Merit will reward those people or groups that have developed a cultural activity linked to the municipality, both individually and as a group. The distinctions for Social Merit will highlight the effort and dedication in favor of the most needy people. And the Sports Merit will award the effort made in the practice of any sport, linked to Candelaria.
