The Literary Athenaeum of Alicante awards the Mayor of El Campello, Juanjo Berenguer, for his efforts to repatriate Rafael Altamira

The Mayor of El Campello, Juanjo Berenguer, has been honoured with the José Canalejas Medal of Honour in 2025. This new distinction, created by the Scientific, Literary and Artistic Athenaeum of Alicante, was awarded to him for his pivotal role in repatriating the remains of the Alicante jurist Rafael Altamira and his wife, fulfilling their wish to rest in their homeland.

The award ceremony took place last night during the 24th edition of the Athenaeum's Culture Gala, held at the Teatro Principal in Alicante. The event coincided with the intermission of a concert by the Valencian Baroque Orchestra, in a solemn atmosphere with an engaged audience.

The president of the Athenaeum, Maribel Berna Box, explained that the decision was made two months ago by unanimous vote of the institution's board of directors, founded in 1839. She highlighted that Berenguer has significantly contributed to "recovering for Alicante the figure of the most internationally renowned Spanish humanist thinker."

The José Canalejas Award, established this year, aims to continue and intends to honour individuals who have made significant civic or cultural contributions to the city.

The mayor received the award from the rector of the Miguel Hernández University, Juan José Ruíz Martínez. The event was attended by numerous academic figures and representatives of cultural institutions from the province of Alicante.