José Antonio Sierra, one of our long-time contributors has been honoured in his adopted home of Malaga. Recently, at the Casa de Álora Gibralfaro in Malaga, the Provincial Federation of Associations of the Elderly of Malaga presented this year’s “traditional 10 Awards”. This annual event was established to honour 10 people over 65 years for their outstanding contributions in various aspects of his/her life in a given year.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions the awards ceremony was a very quiet event in which only the winners were present. At the outset there was a minute’s silence to remember those who have died from, and been affected by, Covid-19. The president of the Federation, Antonio Quero, said that it was a ceremony that they did not want to cancel because this year, more than any other, the recipients deserve to be rewarded for everything they have done and achieved along with the example they have shown through their respective careers.
Speaking on behald of the Emerald Connection Ger Sweeney said “this is a wonderful achievement and is just another reason for us to be proud of José Antonio. Being one of the recipients is a great honour and we are delighted that José’s work has been recognised and rewarded in this way. He’s a humble man but I know this will be a very proud time for the Ávila native and his family”. José Antonio was recognised for his lifetime work as a teacher and journalist. Along with that, he was the creator of the Spanish Cultural Institute of Dublin, predecessor of the Cervantes Institute. José Antonio has also been a correspondent for the EFE Agency in Ireland, among other media and a long-time defender of the dissemination throughout Spain of the different Spanish languages.
Sweeney concluded “We congratulate José Antonio on this wonderful achievement and thank him for his contribution to Emerald Connection dot net and the weekly Irish radio programme, Live on Eire, which is broadcast on Talk Radio Europe on Monday evenings. We look forward to seeing him and being in his company in the Malaga sunshine as soon as the current restrictions are lifted. In the meantime we send our friend love and affection from afar”.
Yes, a well deserved accolade for Antonio. I have known him since he was Director of Instituto Cultural Espana en Dublin.
Antonio’s dedication to the promotion of the use of Spanish language in Ireland is legendary. He cannot walk around Sandymount in Dublin without being stopped in the street for a chat as he lived in the Ballsbridge area for 30 years.
Antonio is also a great supporter of Irish Visual Arts in Spain and in Ireland. Antonio has many friends in Ireland and in Spain where he seeks out irish Folks in order to help promote their endeavours and make them feel at home.
Among the causes and people that he has promoted and supported are Kate O’Brien, George Campbell, The Andalusian International Artists in Spain and The Emerald Connection and The Annual Bloomsday celebrations in Andalusia.
Antonio Sierra is compared to Saint Patrick in that he became more Irish than the Irish themselves.
A well deserved award Antonio. Continued good health and long life my Friend.
Roger and Dolores Cummiskey.
Lovely comments Roger. Hope you and Dolores are doing well. Hope to see you both soon in downtown Kilfenora or downtown Ennis…..or better still downtown Fuengirola 🙂
Hi Ger. I am afraid that it will not be Fuengirola this year. Have to stick by the rules of Covid-19. However, downtown Kilfenora or Ennis would suit me fine.
I will have a few pieces of artwork in The Courthouse Gallery Ennistymon and on line during December. I also have a piece in the Burren Centre in Kilfenora currently closed.
We were in Dublin for the last couple of weeks sorting out property and medical events. Not much different in a lockdown than Clare. Glad to be back in the Banner county. Keep well.
Are you in the area for Christmas? I just got a flash re Ennis street radio.
Roger
Jose Antonio.. well deserved. Congratulations from Kilcock Art Gallery. We are honoured to know our good friend since we opened our doors in 1978 & through the mutual friendship of George Campbell, Manus Walsh George Walsh. Well done!
Breda Smyth Kilcock Art Gallery, co. Kildare.
http://Www.kilcockartgallery.ie