Mavi Mestre, Pilar Roig, Ivana Andrés, and Enith Saló were awarded in the Eighth Ateneo Awards. They thank the institution for remembering the Valencians who succeed both inside and outside their homeland

Last Monday night, the Ateneo Mercantil de Valencia awarded the Eighth Ateneo Mercantil Awards to the Principal Mavi Mestre Escrivá; to the restorer Pilar Roig Picazo, and to the football players Ivana Andrés and Enith Saló in the categories “Human Sciences and Research”, “Creativity and Fine Arts”, and “Education, Culture and Sport”, respectively. The distinctions were presented in the Assembly Hall by the president of the organisation, Carmen de Rosa, who awarded the “Human Sciences and Research” Award to Mavi Mestre, along with Reme Mazzorali, second vice-president of the Provincial Council of València. Maria José Ferrer San Segundo, First Deputy Mayor of Valencia City Council, was in charge of awarding the “Creativity and Fine Arts” Award to the prestigious restorer Pilar Roig Picazo. The General Director of Sports of the Valencian Government, Luis Cervera, awarded Ivana Andrés and Enith Saló with the “Education, Culture and Sport” Award. On behalf of Ivana Andrés, her mother, Ivana Sanz, received the award, since the player is currently preparing for the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup.

The President of the Ateneo, Carmen de Rosa, recalled at the beginning of the gala the spirit of these awards created eight years ago “to value those people who are an example for Valencian society”. “They are role models for the new generations.  We believe that civil society must be active; promote initiatives; take a step forward. From the Ateneo Mercantil, we believe that we must recognise the talent of Valencian people who stand out in their respective areas”.

Mavi Mestre stated: “As the first Principal of the UV, this is a very special day, both from an institutional and personal point of view”

After receiving the “Human Sciences and Research” Award, Full Professor of Basic Psychology and Principal of the Universitat de València, Mavi Mestre, expressed her gratitude to the Ateneo for the meaning of its Awards, which value effort.  “As the first Principal of the UV, this is a very special day, both from an institutional and personal point of view”, she said. “In the year of the 525th anniversary of the Universitat de València, the 145th anniversary of the Ateneo Mercantil and the 115th anniversary of the Valencian Regional Exhibition, it is inevitable for me to see similarities between the Universitat and the Ateneo, both central and historical entities of Valencian society”.

Pilar Roig: “From a humble point of view, I would like to say that this high honour is a well-deserved tribute to cultural heritage and its preservation and restoration”

Equally proud was the researcher Pilar Roig for the “Fine Arts and Creativity” Award, and she thanked the Ateneo and its president, Carmen de Rosa: “The honour of being one of the winners of this worthy institution that does so much for culture and Valencian society by promoting a large number of reputable activities and being a reference for Valencians".

“From a humble point of view, I would like to say that this high honour is a well-deserved tribute to cultural heritage and its preservation and restoration. Today is a great and unforgettable day for its dignity. I extend this award to all the professionals involved in this beautiful task", said Pilar Roig.

The winner of the Valencian Council for Culture (CVC) Medal for her dedication and contribution to the protection and rehabilitation of Valencian heritage looked back to remember the whole family saga of restorers with whom she grew up, at the same time as she emphasised the key pillars for developing each of her professional projects "such as the support of the Universitat Politècnica, public administrations, and the Patronage of the Hortensia Herrero Foundation, which has made the restoration of the Church of San Nicolás and Santos Juanes in Valencia possible".

Enith Saló: “Thanks to the Ateneo for this award and, of course, to my family and the important people who are always there, by my side”

Valencia international goalkeeper Enith Saló received the “Education, Culture and Sport” Award. World champion during the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the 22-year-old Valencian player congratulated the rest of the award winners when collecting the award and thanked the Ateneo Mercantil de Valencia "for valuing and recognising the work of Valencian women and men in each of their professions". The Moncada-born player acknowledged that her achievements go hand in hand with the effort made by her parents since she was a child to make her dreams come true. “Thanks, of course, to my family and the important people who are always there, by my side; to Valencia FC and the Spanish national team for having made such a big dream possible", she acknowledged.

Ivana Andrés: “This recognition awarded by the Ateneo makes me beyond happy. I would also like to congratulate the rest of the award winners”

Ivana Andrés, captain of Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, who won the World Cup in Sydney, also received an award in the “Education, Culture and Sport” category. She was unable to attend the gala due to unavoidable commitments, as she is just a few hours away from playing the final of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona FC. The award was collected by Ivana Sanz Soler, her mother, who was accompanied by her husband, Juanjo, her aunt, and the Mayor of her home town, Aielo de Malferit, Juan Rafel Espí. However, the veteran Valencian defender previously sent a video thanking the cultural institution for recognising her professional work.

"I would have liked nothing more than to have travelled to Valencia to collect this award along with the other winners, but for work reasons I could not. Thanks to the Ateneo Mercantil of Valencia for this award that I am very excited to receive. I feel fortunate for this award. Congratulations to Mavi Mestre, Pilar Roig for the award, and especially to my selection teammate Enith", said Ivana in her video, sending a kiss to all the winners.