‘‘Gran Capitán’’ Army Awards

The minister and the Chief of the Army Staff during the gala (Photo: Ángel García/DECET)

Army Band of the Regiment “Gran Capitán” (Photo: Ángel García/DECET)

Presentation of the special award (Photo: Iván Jiménez/DECET)

Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, better known as “Gran Capitán” (Great Captain), was the undisputed protagonist of the 2015 Army Awards in the 500th anniversary of his death. In this, the 53rd edition of the awards, hundreds of Spanish citizens once again approached the subject of the Army through art forms like general painting, speed painting, photography and military miniatures, and from contexts such as primary and secondary education or research in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Army General Jaime Domínguez Buj, Chief of the General Staff, welcomed at the Army’s War School in Madrid on 11 June Minister of Defence Pedro Morenés, Secretary of State for Defence Pedro Argüelles and Air Force General Francisco Javier García Arnaiz, Chief of the Defence Staff, amongst other authorities. The ceremony took place at the Salón de Promociones (Alumni Hall), whose walls display the names of all General Staff graduates.

“Gran Capitán” first appeared in a video then came to life on stage thanks to Reserve Sergeant First Class Álvaro Ramos, who played his role. Another video showed the present-day legacy of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, prompting the entrance of the Army Band of the 1st Legion Regiment “Gran Capitán”, to the surprise and delight of the audience. A third video showed pupils from three schools named after the famous soldier in Montilla (Córdoba), San Juan Despí (Barcelona) and Madrid, discussing what he means to them.

The ceremony was hosted by Alejandra Navas, as has become customary. On this occasion she was accompanied by sculptor Santiago de Santiago and by actor Luis Fernández (Staff Sergeant Solá in the TV series Los Nuestros), who joined her on stage to announce some of the winners. This year the special award (a general’s sabre) went to the organisation Asociación Retógenes. Amigos de la Historia Militar, established by Eduardo Robles and Jesús Dolado in 2002.

In his speech, the Chief of the Army Staff thanked “the hard work, dedication and love” of all those who submitted entries to this edition of the Army Awards, whether they had received an award or not. He also praised the judges in the different categories, who carry out a “very difficult” task. In addition, he remembered Army General Alfonso Pardo de Santayana, recently deceased, who was one of the great promoters of the awards.

As in previous years, music played a prominent role in the gala. The audience enjoyed performances by the Military Band of the 1st Infantry Regiment “King’s Immemorial”, conducted by José Manuel Mogino, and Copla artists Manuel de Segura and María Gracia.

The winning works of the 53rd edition of the Army Awards will be exhibited from 19 June to 2 July in the gardens of the Palacio de Buenavista in Madrid, General Headquarters of the Army.

Winners of the 2015 Army Awards in PDF format (in Spanish)