The Princess of Asturias Awards (Premios Princesa de Asturias) honors individuals, entities or organizations from around the world who make notable achievements in a variety of categories. The awards are held each year at Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias in Spain.
The awards were founded in 1980 by King Felipe (then Prince of Asturias). The first awards were presented in 1981 by the newly founded Prince of Asturias Foundation.
Asturias is a principality in northern Spain. Prince/ss of Asturias is the special title given to the Heir Apparent or Presumptive of Spain. The awards were renamed after King Felipe's accession, to reflect the new heir.
Events:
The Princess of Asturias Awards celebrations are usually spread over 3 days.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Audience with Winners
- Awards Ceremony
- Day 3
- Visit to this year's Exemplary Town
Categories:
The awards initially had 6 categories, but added on three more categories shortly after the founding.
| Category | Years | Recognizing |
|---|
| Arts | 1981-
Present | The work of fostering and advancing the art of film-making, theatre, dance, music, photography, painting, sculpture, architecture or any other form of artistic expression. |
Communication
and
Humanities | The work of fostering and advancing the sciences and disciplines considered humanistic activities or any activity related to social communication in any of its forms. |
| International Cooperation | Individual or collective work, in cooperation with another or others, to develop and promote public health, universal education, the protection and defence of the environment, as well as the economic, cultural and social advancement of peoples. |
| Literature | The work of fostering and advancing literary creation in all its genres |
| Social Sciences | Creative and/or research work in the field of history, law, linguistics, teaching, political science, psychology, sociology, ethics, philosophy, geography, economics, demography or anthropology, as well as in the disciplines corresponding to each of these fields. |
| Technical and Scientific Research | The work of fostering and advancing research in the field of mathematics, astronomy and astrophysics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, medical sciences, earth and space sciences or technological sciences, including those disciplines corresponding to each of these fields as well as their related technologies. |
| Concord | 1986-
Present | The work of defending and advancing human rights, as well as promoting and protecting peace, freedom, solidarity, world heritage and, in general, the progress of humanity. |
| Sports | 1987-
Present | Careers which, via the promotion, fostering and advancement of sport and sense of solidarity and commitment, have become an example of the benefits that practising sports can bring to people. |
| Exemplary Town of Asturias | 1990-
Present | The town, village, population center, space landscape or human group of the Principality of Asturias that has stood out in a notable way in the defense and conservation of its natural, environment, its historical, cultural or artistic heritage, in initiatives of economic and social promotion or in the implementation of communal works or other outstanding manifestations of solidarity. |
Prizes:
Each recipient (except for Exemplary Town of Asturias) is given a diploma, sculpture created by spanish sculptor Joan Miró, a pin with the emblem of the foundation and €50,000 (or a share of that amount if there are multiple recipients in a category).
The town or community organization that wins the "Exemplary Town of Asturias" award is given a prize of €25,000 and is visited by the Royal Family usually as part of the Princess of Asturias Awards celebrations.
Royals who have received the Prince/ss of Asturias Award
- King Hussein I of Jordan was given the Concord Award in 1995 for "his valuable contribution to the cause of peace in the Middle East, which has shown itself to be one of the points of conflict among humanity."
