The Counselor of Education, Culture and Sports, Amador Pastor, revealed during the award ceremony of Cultural Merit Medals held in Campo de Criptana (Ciudad Real) that the Film and Word Festival (CiBRA) was awarded the Cultural Merit Medal in Patronage and Promotion of Culture.
At the event, Juan Bautista Sánchez-Bermejo was honored with the Cultural Merit Medal in the category of Conservation and Dissemination of Cultural Heritage for his work in preserving windmills, iconic symbols of Manchego identity. The Photographic Group of Guadalajara received recognition in the category of Plastic Arts.
For her outstanding career in Performing Arts, Music, and Film, actress Carmen Flores was awarded the Cultural Merit Medal. In the category of Literary Creation, Publishing, and Promotion of Reading, the recognition was granted to the Cultural Association Friends of Reading of Cuenca.
The Cultural Merit Medal for Anniversary was awarded to the International Contemporary Theatre Festival Lazarillo de Manzanares, and the Association of Booksellers of the region received the distinction of the Extraordinary Cultural Merit Medal of Castilla-La Mancha.
On the other hand, up to 71 libraries in Castilla-La Mancha will be honored with the María Moliner awards for reading promotion from the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Each of them will receive 2,800 euros to support and continue their activities in favor of promoting reading, while those receiving special awards will be rewarded with 10,000 euros.
Two of the region's libraries, located in Cenizate (Albacete) and Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara), will receive special awards. In total, 370 libraries nationwide will be recognized, approximately 20% of which belong to Castilla-La Mancha. The Beethoven Philharmonic of Campo de Criptana also received this recognition for its work in promoting culture and the arts in the region.