What are the Princess of Asturias Awards?
The Princess of Asturias Awards are the most prestigious international awards granted in Spain. They are awarded annually by the Princess of Asturias Foundation to recognize scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out by individuals, institutions, groups or organizations worldwide.
Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, venue of the awards ceremony
Each award consists of a sculpture created by Joan Miró, a diploma, an insignia and a cash prize of €50,000. The awards ceremony takes place each autumn at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen and H.R.H. the Princess of Asturias.
Key facts
- First edition: 1981 (as Prince of Asturias Awards)
- Number of categories: 8
- Cash prize: €50,000 per award
- Sculpture: Designed by Joan Miró
- Award venue: Teatro Campoamor, Oviedo
History of the Awards
The awards were created in 1981 as "Prince of Asturias Awards", a name they kept until 2014. In 2015, with the proclamation of Felipe VI as King of Spain and the subsequent appointment of Leonor as Princess of Asturias, the awards changed their name to "Princess of Asturias Awards".
H.R.H. the Princess of Asturias presents the awards each year
Source: Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain – https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es
Since their creation, the awards have recognized world-class figures and institutions in various fields. Among the awardees are names such as Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, Al Gore, Bob Dylan, Meryl Streep, Wikipedia, the European Union and numerous prestigious international scientists and researchers.
"The Princess of Asturias Awards aim to be an instrument for the exaltation and promotion of all scientific, cultural and humanistic values that are universal heritage."
— Princess of Asturias Foundation
The Princess of Asturias Foundation not only organizes the awards ceremony but also promotes cultural and educational activities throughout the year. During the so-called "Awards Week", meetings with awardees, workshops, talks and exhibitions open to the public are held, especially aimed at young people and schoolchildren.
Award Categories
The Princess of Asturias Awards are granted in eight different categories, each recognizing exceptional achievements in a specific area of human knowledge or social activity:
The 8 categories
- Arts: For the creation, conservation and dissemination of art in all its forms.
- Communication and Humanities: For work in journalism, audiovisual communication or humanities.
- Concord: For outstanding contributions to peace, human rights or solidarity.
- International Cooperation: For cooperation initiatives between nations or institutions.
- Sports: For sporting achievements that represent values of overcoming.
- Scientific and Technical Research: For relevant contributions in science or technology.
- Literature: For literary creation in any genre.
- Social Sciences: For work in history, law, economics or other social sciences.
The juries are composed of experts in the different award areas. Proposals can be submitted by institutions, academies, universities, embassies, former awardees, and other accredited entities. The jury decisions are announced between May and June each year.
Notable Awardees
Throughout their history, the Princess of Asturias Awards have recognized some of the world's most relevant personalities and institutions. Here are some of the most notable awardees:
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Nelson Mandela (1992)
Category: Concord
Recognized for his fight against apartheid and his contribution to national reconciliation in South Africa.
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Stephen Hawking (1989)
Category: Scientific and Technical Research
Awarded for his fundamental contributions to theoretical physics and cosmology.
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Bob Dylan (2007)
Category: Arts
Recognized for his influence on popular music and his contribution to contemporary culture.
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Wikipedia (2015)
Category: International Cooperation
Awarded for its contribution to free and accessible knowledge worldwide.
