The upcoming Andalusian Awards 2025 ceremony is set to honor notable figures whose contributions have significantly impacted Andalusian society. The Junta de Andalucía has announced this year's distinguished honorees: football legend Jesús Navas and artificial intelligence pioneer Pilar Manchón, both of whom will be recognized as Hijo Predilecto of the Andalusian community. Singer-songwriter Pablo Alborán will receive the Medalla de Andalucía to the Arts during the ceremony.
Scheduled for February 28, coinciding with the Día de Andalucía, the event will be presided over by Juanma Moreno, the president of the Junta de Andalucía. Moreno made the announcement via social media, expressing pride in proposing Navas and Manchón for the prestigious titles, stating, "Arrancamos la semana del Día de Andalucía y quiero anunciar que propondremos a Jesús Navas y Pilar Manchón como Hijos Predilectos de nuestra tierra."
Jesús Navas, born on November 21, 1985, in Los Palacios y Villafranca, is hailed as one of the greatest figures in Spanish football history. A product of Sevilla FC's youth academy, he debuted with the first team at the age of 18. Over his illustrious career, he accumulated numerous titles, including the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship with the Spanish national team. Navas retired from professional football last December, leaving behind a legacy as the Sevilla player with the most titles and appearances. His exceptional sportsmanship has made him an emblematic figure of Andalusian sports.
Pilar Manchón, born in Sevilla in 1972, is the director of Strategy for Artificial Intelligence Research at Google Research. With an academic background in Philology and Linguistics, she has become one of the foremost figures in artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Before joining Google, she founded Indisys, which developed advanced dialogue systems and was later acquired by Intel. Manchón has played pivotal roles at renowned tech companies, including Amazon and Roku, solidifying her status as a leader in her field. Moreno's announcement emphasized her significant contributions to technology, stating, "Pilar Manchón ha destacado por su trabajo creativo y fuertemente innovador que ha puesto el nombre de Andalucía en el ámbito de la inteligencia artificial."
The artistic community will also be celebrated during the ceremony, with Pablo Alborán taking the stage to perform the Andalusian anthem. Born on May 31, 1989, Alborán is one of Spain's most successful contemporary artists. He gained fame with his debut single “Solamente tú” and has since released numerous albums, earning multiple Latin Grammy nominations. His music is wildly popular, making him the best-selling artist of the past decade, with over 43 platinum records.
The ceremony will take place at the Teatro de La Maestranza in Sevilla, where additional Medals of Andalucía will also be presented across various categories, including Arts, Sports, Science and Health, and Social Sciences. These awards, established in 1985, aim to recognize individuals and groups who have made notable contributions to Andalusian society across diverse fields.
Juanma Moreno thanked the honorees for their outstanding service and contributions to Andalucía, reassuring the public of the importance of recognizing those who inspire and represent their communities positively. Alongside Navas, Manchón, and Alborán, the Junta will announce other distinguished names this Monday during the Council meeting, which will finalize the year’s awards.
With the Día de Andalucía approaching, the significance of these awards resonates deeply, reflecting the community’s values and appreciation for remarkable achievements. The event promises to be not only a recognition of talent but also a celebration of Andalusian culture and pride.