• The institution in this manner recognises the contribution of the Countess of Pardo Bazán to the conversion of the municipality into a reputed European social, intellectual and cultural centre  

• The Regional Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the Pontevedra Provincial Council and the  Mondariz Balneario Council have joined the Foundation's Board.

 Mondariz, 22^nd December, 2009.- The Board of the Mondariz Balneario Foundation (MBF), to which the company Aguas de Mondariz belongs, has awarded the writer Emilia Pardo Bazán, with a posthumous title, namely, " Ambassador of Mondariz", the first distinction ever  created to honour people who are renowned or have been key for spreading values that have always characterised the history of  Mondariz Balneario.

With this distinction, conferred unanimously by the Foundation's Board members, the institution  intends to pay homage to Emilia Pardo Bazán for her contribution to converting Mondariz-Balneario into a reputed European social, intellectual and cultural centre during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The title of “First Ambassador of Mondariz” was conferred upon Emilia Pardo Bazán at mid-day today, during an act held in the Spa at Mondariz, where the current Countess of Pardo Bazán, Ms. María del Carmen Colmeiro Rojo, received the distinction from the President of the MBF, Mr. Javier Solano. Important personalities were present at this act, amongst whom were the Mayor of Mondariz Balneario Council, Mr. José Antonio Lorenzo; the President of the Royal Galician Academy, Mr. Xosé Ramón Barreiro; and the Director General of Aguas de Mondariz, Mr. Javier R. Losada.

Mondariz in the texts of Pardo Bazán

Also presented during the homage act was the book titled “Mondariz in the texts of Emilia Pardo Bazán. Anthology (1887-1919)”, published by the  Mondariz Balneario Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Galician Academy, and  under the coordination of Patricia Carballal Miñán.

This book analyses the relationship between the Countess and the environment around Mondariz.  It contains the multiple references, opinions and comments that Emilia Pardo Bazán published about the  Mondariz Balneario municipality, the Gran Hotel Balneario de Mondariz, the social life at the time and the meetings with intellectuals of the time.

The book contains an introduction by the President of the Royal Galician Academy, Mr. Xosé Ramón Barreiro, and a preface by the official journalist for Mondariz Balneario town, Mr. Alfonso Paredes.

New MBF Board

The homage to the writer Emilia Pardo Bazán is the first event organised by the Mondariz Balneario Foundation ever since the Board was modified on the 17th of November. With these changes, the MBF Board is now comprised of public institutions, such as the Regional Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the Pontevedra Provincial Council and the Mondariz Balneario Council, as well as companies such as Aguas de Mondariz and  Mondariz Spa.

Furthermore, at a meeting held during the event, the MBF, which is supported by more than one hundred collaborators (individual persons and companies), approved the working lines for 2010. These would be centred along three main axes: its environmental commitment, dissemination of sporting values and education for a healthy life style.

The Foundation will likewise end the year 2009 by organising  the first musical event included in the official program of the Xacobeo 2010: a classical music concert by the Czech Symphony Orchestra, directed by the prestigious conductor Inma Shara.  This concert will be held on 29th December in the Mondariz Spa Auditorium, with presence from a select representation of people from Galician politics, economics, social and cultural scenario and will officially launch the Xacobeo cultural acts.

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Emilia Pardo Bazán Ambassador Mondariz