Redaccion
Six outstanding individuals from the world of culture, art, cooperation, and business will receive the Carlos III el Noble Cross, an award from the Government of Navarra that recognizes individuals and entities for their contribution to the development, projection, and prestige of the Community. The recipients are sculptor Carlos Ciriza, UNICEF Navarra President Joaquín Mencos, composer and educator Mariano Jiménez, president of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Navarra (UCAN) Esther Burgui, businessman José Julián Garciandía, and scenographer and painter Tomás Muñoz.
The proposal for these nominations will be presented at the government session next Wednesday for final approval through six regional decrees. The presentation of the Carlos III el Noble Crosses will take place on June 9 at the Palacio de Navarra.
Award Recipients
Carlos Ciriza Vega (Estella-Lizarra, 1964) is a highly esteemed artist. As a painter and sculptor, he has achieved international recognition with works in 28 countries. He has participated in over 200 exhibitions, both individual and collective, and has received numerous awards and accolades. His specialization lies in creating monumental sculptures for public and private spaces, integrating them seamlessly into architecture, urban environments, and natural settings.
Joaquín Ignacio Mencos Arraiza (Tafalla, 1973) has been the president of UNICEF Navarra since January 2024. With a background in biology, he specializes in managing social organizations. For over 30 years, he has been involved with the Navarra Red Cross, serving as a volunteer and leading missions in various countries. He has also been a member of the Navarra Immigration and Volunteering Councils.
Mariano Jiménez Serrano (Tudela, 1970) is a pedagogue and composer. He studied piano, harmony, counterpoint, fugue, and composition at the Pablo Sarasate Conservatory in Pamplona. He is actively engaged in teaching and lecturing, both in musical specialization and dissemination. His recent academic work is at the University of Navarra, and his vocal work is published by CM Ediciones musicales S.L. in Bilbao.
Esther Burgui Itoiz (Villaveta / Billabeta, Lónguida Valley, 1988) holds a degree in Business and Economics from the Public University of Navarra (UPNA). She is recognized for her contributions to agricultural cooperativism, particularly in promoting women’s participation in decision-making bodies, fostering equal opportunities, and supporting young farmers. Currently, she serves as the president of UCAN, focusing on issues such as rural profitability, generational turnover, and climate change adaptation in the primary sector.
José Julián Garciandía Pellejero (Lakuntza, 1957) is a Navarrese entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in the industrial sector, leading Lacunza Kalor Group, a family business dedicated to manufacturing wood stoves and fireplaces. He has actively contributed to the economic, social, and institutional development of Navarra. He was a founding member of the Sakana Business Association (AES) in 1994, where he has been the president since September 2021. He is also the vice president of the Navarra Business Confederation (CEN) since May 2024.
Tomás Muñoz Asensio (Pamplona, 1964) is a scenographer, stage director, painter, and teacher. With a PhD in Fine Arts with honors from the Complutense University of Madrid, he has worked on over 70 theater, dance, zarzuela, and opera productions premiered at top Spanish venues. As a painter, he has held several exhibitions, painted official portraits of Government and Parliament presidents of Navarra, and is known for his artwork for the San Fermín Bull Running Fair in 1999 and the Angel’s Descent in Tudela. Alongside his professional work, he has been actively involved in teaching. Noteworthy is his donation of 180 pieces from his father’s collection, mainly 19th-century French paintings, displayed at the César Muñoz Sola Museum in Tudela.
Distinction Established in 1997
The Carlos III el Noble Cross was established in 1997 by the regional government to publicly recognize individuals and entities that have significantly contributed to the progress of Navarrese society or the external projection of the Community. Since then, around a hundred crosses have been awarded, with six more set to be approved this year.
The award is named after Carlos III el Noble, a monarch distinguished among the Kings of Navarra for his peaceful and conciliatory nature, his initiatives in support of Culture and Art, and his efforts to establish peaceful and friendly relations with other European courts.
The decoration consists of an enameled cross featuring the seated effigy of Carlos III from the royal wax seal preserved in the Royal and General Archive of Navarra. The cross is surrounded by the inscription ‘Karolus regis navarre.’ The reverse side displays the Navarra coat of arms above the phrase ‘Comunidad Foral de Navarra’ and the inscription ‘Cruz de Carlos III el Noble de Navarra.’
