The mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, announced yesterday the 26 finalists of the second edition of the Latir Hispano Awards, an award created in 2024 to recognize the social, economic, and cultural contributions of the Latino community residing in the city. This year’s call for nominations has seen notable growth, with 142 submissions received compared to the more modest figures of the inaugural edition, reflecting the increasing presence of these nationalities in local life.
Zaragoza currently has 50,530 citizens from 23 Latin American countries. This group represents 6.9% of the registered population and has a strong presence of residents from Colombia and Nicaragua. According to the mayor, this demographic fabric has become a significant driver for the economic and social development of the Aragonese capital.
The awards aim to highlight the talent and commitment of individuals contributing to the city’s progress in diverse fields such as business, culture, sports, social action, and research. They also symbolize, according to the city council, a reinforcement of the historical and emotional bond between Zaragoza and Latin America, represented in the tradition of the Virgen del Pilar as the patroness of Hispanic heritage.
The jury, convened last Friday, was chaired by the Councilor for Citizen Participation, Alfonso Mendoza, and included representatives from Zaragoza Cultural, journalist Lisett Rosales, ECOS, ATA, the Archdiocese of Zaragoza, Radio La Mega España, and CEPYME. After deliberation, the panel selected five winners who will be announced on November 24 at a ceremony in the City Hall. The list of finalists includes candidates from 12 countries, showcasing the diversity characteristic of the Spanish-speaking community residing in the city.
In her remarks, Chueca emphasized the contributions of these citizens to the productive and social fabric of Zaragoza. She highlighted that their trajectories serve as an example of effort and as an indicator of the city’s capacity to integrate sustainable life projects.
In the previous edition, the awards recognized a wide range of individuals, from Colombian journalist Lisett Rosales to Argentine footballer Cristian Álvarez, Michelin-starred Cuban chef Ramsés González, and Colombian entrepreneurs. The consolidation of the award illustrates the institutional will to value the role of a community that is already part of the economic and cultural machinery of Zaragoza.
