**Who Is Teresa Sanjurjo?**
Teresa Sanjurjo, born in Madrid in 1972, has been leading the Princess of Asturias Foundation for almost 17 years. She runs the famous awards ceremony that honors people and institutions from around the world for their contributions to science, arts, cooperation, and more.
**Why This Year Feels Different**
The 2026 awards have attracted a lot of attention because the list of winners includes big names like football star Lionel Messi, musician Patti Smith, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch. Teresa says the interest is visible: more emails, phone calls, and ticket requests than ever before.
**Do Popular Winners Overshadow the Less‑Known Ones?**
She believes the audience is smart enough to appreciate all kinds of achievements. While Messi draws football fans, the Svalbard Seed Vault (winner of the International Cooperation award) and Studio Ghibli (winner of the Communications and Humanities award) are also sparking curiosity among people who had never heard of them before.
**Tickets Sell Out in Seconds**
When the virtual box office opens, thousands of people try to grab a seat at once. Teresa explains that the halls have limited capacity, and the free tickets are distributed through a random online queue. Even though it can be frustrating for those who miss out, the system gives everyone a fair chance without forcing them to sit at their computers all day.
**Can They Offer More Seats?**
In most events each person can request up to two tickets. The foundation has invested in improving the virtual queue, but the simple fact remains: there are more people who want to attend than there are seats available.
**Taking the Awards Around Asturias**
The ceremony started this year in Cadavedo, and the foundation wants to keep bringing events to different towns across the region. This decentralization depends on how long the winners stay in Asturias and on the foundation’s budget for travel. Some venues have very small audiences, which limits how many places they can visit.
**The Future of the Fábrica de Armas de La Vega**
The old arms factory in La Vega has become closely linked to the foundation. The Spanish Ministry of Defence is transferring the site to the local council, but Teresa says the foundation’s role will stay the same: providing the award‑winning content and organizing activities, wherever they end up being held.
**Is There a Backup Plan?**
Right now the team is focused entirely on delivering this year’s awards. Other ideas exist, but they are not the current priority.
**A Nobel Connection**
Anne Carson, who won the Princess of Asturias Award for Literature in 2020, just received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Teresa sees this as a sign that the foundation’s juries often spot talent that later gains worldwide recognition—though she stresses that the foundation’s goal is simply to honor excellence in its own categories.
**What Does the Royal Family Bring?**
King Felipe VI and Princess Leonor continue to attend the ceremony, drawing media attention from around the globe. Teresa believes the royal presence and the cultural message of the awards complement each other, highlighting Spain’s commitment to democracy, culture, and international cooperation.
**Why the Awards Matter Today**
In a time of rapid change and polarization, the awards provide shared references that help build trust and encourage critical thinking. Teresa feels that celebrating excellence in science, art, and humanitarian work is more necessary than ever.
**Looking Forward to the Speeches**
She is excited to hear the varied speeches at the Campoamor Theatre—from a rock legend like Patti Smith to an astronaut like Christina Koch—knowing that, despite their differences, they all reflect common values of curiosity, creativity, and courage.
**Conclusion**
The Princess of Asturias Awards continue to grow in popularity, balancing big‑name appeal with the discovery of lesser‑known achievers. Teresa Sanjurjo and her team work hard to make the event accessible, fair, and meaningful, while staying true to the foundation’s mission of promoting excellence and unity across the world.
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Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es