Meet the awardees in ‘Honors and Distinctions 2026’

Lanzarote donned its finest attire this Thursday, June 25, for the institutional event Honors and Distinctions 2026, recognizing the contribution of those individuals, entities, and groups who have left a significant mark on the social, cultural, economic, sporting, and human development of Lanzarote and La Graciosa.  

Among the honorees are Juan Santana (posthumously) as the Favorite Son of Lanzarote, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and well-being of the Island. His career was deeply linked to the social, cultural, and economic progress of the island territory, always demonstrating a firm commitment to its people and to the values of Lanzarote. His legacy continues to be present in current generations and in the collective identity of the island, constituting an example of dedication and public service.

Liz and Larry Yaskiel were also recognized as Adopted Sons, for their outstanding work in promoting and communicating Lanzarote to the Anglo-Saxon community. The British couple arrived on the island in the late 1970s and, after falling in love with Lanzarote, decided to create the Lancelot magazine in English, a quarterly publication that in 2026 celebrates 42 years of history.

For more than four decades, Larry and Liz Yeskiel have played the role of an informative bridge for English-speaking tourists and residents, contributing to the international projection of Lanzarote's image as a tourist destination and a welcoming place. Their work was recognized in 2023 with the Order of the British Empire medal, presented to them by the British Ambassador to Spain. 

Likewise, the Cabildo recognized Kenneth Gasque as an Adopted Son of Lanzarote, for his extraordinary contribution to the sporting development and international projection of the island. As the founder of Ironman Lanzarote, he succeeded in placing Lanzarote on the world map of endurance sports, generating significant economic, tourist, and social impact for decades. His work has promoted values such as effort, overcoming challenges, and commitment linked to the territory, as well as a close personal and professional relationship with the Island.

The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted during his speech that “these distinctions represent the sincere gratitude of the entire island towards individuals and groups who have contributed, from different fields, to ennobling Lanzarote and strengthening our identity”. He added that “recognizing their careers is also recognizing values such as commitment, solidarity, effort, and deep love for this land. All of them are now part of the collective memory of Lanzarote”. 

Furthermore, Betancort wanted to send a message of solidarity to Venezuela and the Venezuelan people in the face of the tremendous tragedy of the double earthquake. Thus, he recalled his willingness to “make ourselves available to all those people whose lives have changed today, who have lost loved ones, who have lost everything and wonder why”. He continued by addressing the Venezuelan community in Lanzarote and La Graciosa to remind them “that they are not alone and that they have two islands at their disposal”, while offering “all possible help to Venezuela to alleviate this catastrophe”.

For her part, the vice-president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, María Jesús Tovar, underlined that “these distinctions highlight the enormous human and social capital of Lanzarote”, emphasizing that “each of the recognized individuals and entities represents a story of dedication and commitment to the island, by contributing from their respective fields to creating a more cohesive, dynamic society that is proud of its roots”.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Culture of the Cabildo, Jesús Machín, pointed out that “these recognitions, further enhanced by the privileged setting of Los Jameos del Agua, reflect the cultural, scientific, social, and heritage richness of Lanzarote and La Graciosa”. Finally, he highlighted that “with these distinctions, we honor individuals and groups who have decisively helped to preserve our traditions, promote talent, and project the best image of our Island within and beyond our borders”.

Timanfaya and Jameos de Oro 

Regarding the distinctions, the plenary session approved posthumously granting the Timanfaya de Oro for the Arts to Félix Hormiga, in recognition of his outstanding creative career and his contribution to the cultural heritage of Lanzarote. His work constitutes a unique expression of island identity, deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of the island, leaving a notable mark for new generations of artists.

In the field of Science, the Timanfaya de Oro distinction went to Mar Carretero Castrillo, a young astrophysicist from Lanzarote who is currently working at the European Southern Observatory in Chile. A graduate in Physics and with a master's and doctorate in Astrophysics from the University of Barcelona, she was recognized in 2024 with the third La Vanguardia de la Ciencia prize for the discovery of runaway stars in the Milky Way. She has also received recognition from the International Astronomical Union and has participated in international conferences on astrophysics in South Africa.

As for the Jameos de Oro, the distinction was awarded to ADISLAN in the Social Sector, in recognition of its tireless work for the inclusion and improvement of the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families, promoting equal opportunities and strengthening the social fabric of Lanzarote.

Meanwhile, in the Economic Field, the Jameos de Oro award went to Bodega La Geria, a historic winery from Lanzarote that will celebrate its 130th anniversary in 2026. Founded at the end of the 19th century by the Rijo family and later acquired by the Melián family, this winery has managed to combine Lanzarote's winemaking traditions with technological innovation, consolidating itself as one of the benchmarks in the island's wine sector.

The Jameo de Oro Deportivo went to Hecher Sosa, for his outstanding career and his contribution to the development of sport on the island, by promoting values such as effort, self-improvement, discipline, and teamwork. 

But in addition, sport garnered another exceptional Jameo de Oro Deportivo for the Club Deportivo Teguise, for being a benchmark for football on the island and celebrating one hundred years of promoting community identity, teamwork, sacrifice, and the transmission of a historical legacy. The green and white club stands out for representing the pride of its people, transforming physical activity into a formative and socially cohesive pillar. 

Likewise, the work of the Ranchos de Pascua de Lanzarote was recognized with the Jameo de Oro for Traditional Culture, for their fundamental role in the conservation and transmission of Lanzarote's intangible heritage, keeping alive one of the most deeply rooted cultural and religious expressions on the Island.

Meanwhile, the Golden Tourist Jameo was awarded to the Island Association of Licensed Tourist Guides of Lanzarote (APIT), extolling the work of official guides as ambassadors of Lanzarote to those who visit the island, guaranteeing rigorous and quality dissemination of its history, heritage, and natural wealth.

In the Humanitarian Field, the Golden Jameo went to Salvamento Marítimo (Maritime Rescue), highlighting the essential role of professionals and volunteers in rescuing migrant people on the Canary Route, by carrying out interventions of enormous human and technical complexity that treasure values of solidarity, essential for Lanzarotean society.

For its part, Cristina Martel received the Golden Jameo for International Solidarity for her humanitarian commitment and her constant work in favor of the most vulnerable people, reflecting values of social justice, dignity, and empathy; while the Educational Golden Jameo recognized UNED Lanzarote for its decisive contribution to higher education on the island since 1973, guaranteeing for more than half a century access to university studies for generations of Lanzaroteans, through an educational model adapted to semi-presential and online teaching.

In Sustainability, the Golden Jameo went to Ana Carrasco for her commitment to the sustainable development of Lanzarote and for her work at the head of the Biosphere Reserve, promoting policies aimed at territorial conservation and environmental awareness.

Meanwhile, the Tinecheide Women's Wrestling Club received the Golden Jameo for Equality for promoting equality within Canarian wrestling, and fostering values such as effort, nobility, and pride in the island's traditions among new generations.

Finally, the Lanzarote Camel Sector was distinguished with the Golden Jameo for Cultural Heritage for its work in the conservation of an ancestral tradition closely linked to the landscape and identity of Lanzarote, guaranteeing the preservation of a unique cultural and ethnographic legacy linked to the Timanfaya National Park. 

In this same area, special mention should be made of Vicenta Bravo Marrero, who upon receiving the Jameo de Oro in the Heritage Area exceptionally, made the audience vibrate with her life's journey linked to social memory, traditions, and the popular culture of southern Lanzarote. The public burst into applause and stood for several minutes to honor the work among the salt flats and the tireless spirit of this Canarian grandmother. 

After listening to the Hymn of the Canary Islands with great solemnity at the beginning of the event, attendees were able to enjoy the performance of Almudena Hernández, accompanied by musicians José Vicente Pérez and Adrián Niz. Meanwhile, the closing of the evening was in the hands of a top-tier figure on stages around the world, Ale Acosta, a renowned Lanzarote musician, composer, and producer, who has several nominations for the Spanish National Music Awards or the 2024 Latin Grammy, among others. His latest work, entirely dedicated to Lanzarote, has received the Award for Best Electronic Music Song from the Academy of Music of Spain for the song ‘La Ceniza’.