Valencia to award Medal of Honor to Ceuta and recognize cultural institutions on 5 October

Recognition for Ceuta

The President of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, will travel to Valencia on Monday, 5 October 2026, to receive the city's Medal of Honor. The honor will be presented during a solemn plenary session in the Salón de Plenos of Valencia City Hall, presided over by Mayor María José Catalá. The distinction forms part of the annual municipal honors tied to the 9 d'Octubre celebrations for the Day of the Valencian Community. Vivas will deliver an official address on behalf of all individuals and organizations recognized during the plenary meeting. Municipal authorities in Valencia approved the measure in their most recent ordinary plenary session to express solidarity with the North African autonomous city following mass migrant entries at the end of July.

During the State of the City debate, Mayor Catalá affirmed the municipal administration's support for the residents of Ceuta.

You are not alone.

Support between territories

The municipal recognition aims to convey institutional backing from Valencia to Ceuta after a period of intense pressure along its borders. Catalá commended what she described as the dignity of the people of Ceuta, their determination not to surrender or give up, and their defense of Ceuta and Spain. The autonomous government of Ceuta formally thanked the Valencia City Council and local citizens, stating that the gesture reinforces civic ties and represents a tribute to the entire local society. The exchange reflects formal cooperation between the two regional administrations ahead of the autonomous community's official holiday. Catalá previously addressed the decision to grant the honor while presenting the municipal awards.

All our affection, all our support, and all our solidarity.

Cultural and civic gold medals

Alongside the Medal of Honor, Valencia will award several Gold Medals to civic and cultural organizations that preserve local heritage. The Coral Juan Bautista Comes will receive a Gold Medal as it reaches its 70th anniversary, having performed its debut concert at the Teatro Principal on 5 February 1956 for the Day of the Teacher. The choir averages 170 active vocalists each season and has sung the Missa d'infants for the feast of Mare de Déu dels Desemparats continuously since 1958. The Real Hermandad San Antonio Abad will also receive a Gold Medal for maintaining the feast of Sant Antoni, which combines animal blessing ceremonies with social welfare work, torchlight processions, and traditional Valencian dances.

The celebration of Corpus Christi will receive a Gold Medal for its contribution to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and longstanding city traditions. Archival records document Valencia's first Corpus Christi procession in 1355, establishing an annual observance in 1372 that became known traditionally as the Festa Grossa. The Colegio de Procuradores de Valencia will also receive recognition after marking its 150th anniversary in 2025 for its continuous representation and collaboration with the justice system.

Individual honors and athletic awards

The municipal council will also confer distinctions on prominent figures across sports and academia during the October proceedings. Honorees include Spanish international footballers Ferran Torres and Alejandro Grimaldo, along with long jumper Fátima Diame. The city will also recognize Mavi Mestre, the rector of the University of Valencia, for her institutional and educational leadership. The official presentation on 5 October will bring together civic, cultural, and sports representatives in the City Hall to open the regional holiday week.