‘Mercado de Colón’ launches its first awards and celebrates the talent of Ángela Pérez, José Manuel Casañ, Rodríguez Uribes, Pablo Motos, and Ricard Camarena. A special award will be given to the Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, and to the family of the architect who designed the market, Francisco Mora. The award will be a serigraph of a painting by Horacio Silva.

On February 4, the Colón Market will be dressed up to pay tribute to Valencians who inspire with their work and passion. The 2026 Colón Market Awards will recognize figures who have made a difference in communication, culture, sports, science, business, and gastronomy, in an evening that promises excitement and pride for Valencia. Ángela Pérez, José Manuel Casañ, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, Pablo Motos, and Ricard Camarena will each receive a numbered serigraph of a special painting of the Market by Horacio Silva. The mayor of Valencia and the family of the building’s architect, Francisco Mora, will receive a special award.

Today, the prestigious artist Horacio Silva, Professor of Fine Arts and an internationally renowned figure, presented his artistic contribution to the 2026 Mercado de Colón Awards to José Manuel Manglano, president of the Merchants’ Association, and Kika Morató, José Ortiz, and Ángel Adalid, members of the association. For this edition, he has created an exclusive painting that will remain as a legacy in the Market, a symbol of tradition and modernity. In addition, each award recipient will receive a numbered serigraph (Giclée print), conceived as a unique piece that immortalizes the spirit of the award and the essence of Valencia. His work transforms each award into art, elevating the celebration to an unforgettable cultural tribute.

The 2026 Mercado de Colón Awards will celebrate the talent that inspires Valencia and the world. In the Communication category, the award will go to Pablo Motos, an iconic figure in television. In the Culture category, the brilliant career of José Manuel Casañ, lead singer of Seguridad Social and a leading figure in Spanish Pop, is recognized. Sports will be represented by the president of the Spanish National Sports Council, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, while in Science and Business, the award highlights Ángela Pérez, president of The Terminal Hub, Bioval, the Social Council of the University of Valencia, vice president of Health in Code, and entrepreneur.

If receiving an award is exciting, it’s even more so when your peers recognize your talent. This was the case in the Gastronomy category, where Ricard Camarena received the unanimous support of all the vendors and merchants who share the space with him.

These awards are supported by AUMSA, the public company that manages the market, and the Valencia City Council. Furthermore, the Mercado de Colón will undergo essential renovations this year, as requested by the Merchants’ Association for years. So, the special award will be given to the mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, for her ongoing contributions to the improvement of this iconic modernist space. Created in 1916 by Francisco Mora, this space will also receive a special mention. The heart of Valencian gatherings would not be the same without this emblematic modernist gem of the Ensanche district and an undisputed symbol of the city of Valencia.

The ceremony will be held on February 4th at 7:00 PM, and all Valencians are invited to attend. It will take place in the plaza accessed via C/ Jorge Juan, with a stage specially designed for the occasion. The presentation will be given by journalist Jesús Álvarez.

“These awards are a tribute to the vibrant life of the Mercado de Colón and to those whose talent makes Valencia shine on the world stage,” says José Manuel Manglano, president of the Merchants Association. For his part, Horacio Silva said, “It is an honour to be able to create a specific work about this architectural gem and for it to be enjoyed by people I admire so much.”

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

Photo: José Ortiz, José Manuel Manglano, Horacio Silva, Kika Morató and Ángel Adalid.