Ondara awards 'Vila d'Ondara' 2026 Distinctions on 9 October

Ondara Town Council organised the events for 9 October, Valencian Community Day, as the council had previously announced. The day included a procession led by the Colla de Dolçaines i Tabals and the Grup de Danses d'Ondara, as well as an institutional offering of a laurel wreath to Jaume I at the Town Hall Cloister. The main event took place at the El Prado Building, where the Commemorative Distinctions for 9 October 'Vila d'Ondara' 2026 were presented.

The recipients were Sergi Mallol i García, Antonio Torres Alba and Josep Andreu Alemany Ortolà. Mallol, who has been linked to teaching for over three decades, was recognised for his educational work and his contribution to the recovery, preservation and dissemination of local history, including the coordination of the Jornades d'Estudis d'Ondara. Torres Alba, who has directed his drawing and painting academy for over two decades, received the distinction for his artistic career at national and international level in dance and ballet and his educational work. Alemany Ortolà, with over thirty years dedicated to teaching, performance, musical direction and composition, was recognised for his contribution to Valencian traditional music and his work in the dissemination and renewal of the dolçaina.

Culture councillor Rosa Ana Marí led the institutional event and emphasised the importance of "looking to our roots". For his part, Antonio Torres Alba said that his recognition "comes from the people who have welcomed me, respected me and loved me", whilst Josep Andreu Alemany Ortolà stated that "without culture, towns would die and give way to barbarism".

Ondara's mayor, José Ramiro, closed the institutional event with a speech on the values of 9 October in which he praised the three recipients. Ramiro said that this was "an Ondara that knows where it comes from, that trusts in culture and that continues to build itself every day thanks to its people".