Rosa María García Cano International Prize for Director General of the Arts

According to a statement released today, the award was given for the "persistent and invaluable work of promoting, valuing and supporting the Portuguese performing arts", and "the importance of strategic projects that he developed", throughout his career, "to strengthen cooperation and artistic exchange between Spain and Portugal."

The jury, which valued "the defense of citizens' cultural rights" by Américo Rodrigues, and his work "to safeguard Portuguese performing arts", also recalled his career as an entertainer, cultural programmer and director of the Guarda Municipal Theatre (2005-2013), and the way in which he "promoted cross-border networks with Castile and León and Extremadura".

Américo Rodrigues, who was born in Guarda in 1961, was appointed Director-General of Arts in 2019, on a replacement basis, and again in 2022, following a public competition by the Recruitment and Selection Commission for Public Administration (CReSAP).

Previously, he had directed the Eduardo Lourenço Municipal Library (2005-2018), in his hometown.

With a degree in Portuguese Language and Culture from the University of Beira Interior and a master's degree in Speech Sciences from the University of Aveiro, Américo Rodrigues is a poet, actor, director and cultural programmer. He was one of the founders of the Aquilo Teatro collective, the Luzlinar Association and the Cultural Association/Teatro do CalaFrio.

In 2011, he was awarded the Medal of Cultural Merit for his contribution to the cultural development of the Guarda region.

The Rosa María García Cano Award, named after the founder of the theatre festival, is celebrating its 14th edition this year. It was established in 2012 with the aim of recognising the ongoing work of individuals, collectives and institutions in supporting, promoting and developing culture in Spain and Portugal.

The national category of the award this year distinguished the Federation of Professional Circus Associations of Spain, and the regional category went to the La Parrala Scenic Creation Center, of the Burgos Performing Arts Association, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for August 27th, at the Palacio de Montarco, in Ciudad Rodrigo, as part of the 28th edition of the Castilla y León Theatre Festival, which takes place from August 26th to 30th.

FITEI - International Festival of Iberian Expression Theatre, Artemrede, d'Orfeu - Festival i, from Águeda, and also the Mandrágora Theatre and Puppets, from Espinho, are Portuguese entities that have already been distinguished with the Rosa María García Cano International Prize.