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The 5th Reference Point Awards highlight the talent of 2026

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The fifth edition of the José María Toro Sánchez Memorial distinguishes thirteen essential trajectories for contemporary culture.

 

The Patio Cordobés of the Hotel Averroes will be the setting, on July 18, for the gala of the V Cultural Reference Point Awards “Memorial José María Toro Sánchez”, an edition that will recognize thirteen artists, disseminators, musicians, teachers and creators. The Point of Reference Media Pool – formed by Onda Góngora, Mujer y Poder, Canal El Terrible and Blanco Sobre Negro (CUDETUR) – promotes awards designed to honor the legacy of the Andalusian editor and cultural manager José María Toro Sánchez

 

The caliphal city will once again be placed at the center of the Spanish cultural map on July 18, 2026, when the historic Patio Cordobés of the Averroes Hotel hosts the gala of the V Cultural Reference Point Awards “José María Toro Sánchez Memorial”. It will be an evening marked by artistic diversity, recognition of professional merit and tribute to the figure of the editor and cultural manager José María Toro Sánchez, whose legacy continues to guide the spirit of these awards.

The awards, which were born as the Blanco Sobre Negro Awards before transforming into the current Point of Reference formula, have established themselves as one of the most relevant cultural events of the Andalusian summer. The organization is carried out by the Point of Reference Media Pool, made up of Onda Góngora, the magazine Mujer y Poder, Canal El Terrible and the Blanco Sobre Negro communication group, managed by CUDETUR. The union of these entities guarantees a broad view of the cultural panorama, from the heritage roots to the new narratives of the 21st century.

A living tribute to José María Toro Sánchez

The name of the award remembers the Andalusian editor José María Toro Sánchez, a key figure in the cultural management of the region and a firm defender of a close, accessible and transformative culture. His editorial work, linked to the promotion of projects that brought artistic creation closer to citizens, continues to inspire this event, conceived as a speaker for artists, disseminators and professionals committed to the cultural growth of Andalusia and Spain.

 

Thirteen winners that reflect cultural plurality

The Media Pool jury has announced the list of thirteen winners, a selection that combines experience, innovation and excellence in disciplines as broad as music, arts, literature, technology and education.

The Women and Power Award will recognize Ana Pérez de la Lastra, an outstanding auditor whose professional work has become a symbol of female leadership in traditionally masculinized sectors. Her career represents a commitment to excellence, equality and the visibility of women in the economic and corporate sphere.

In music, the Canal El Terrible Award will go to the legendary band from Córdoba Medina Azahara, an undisputed reference in Andalusian rock and one of the most beloved and respected groups on the national scene. Their sound, capable of uniting tradition and identity with an international projection sustained for decades, makes them cultural ambassadors of Córdoba.

Young talent will be represented by Sol y Luna, musical performing sisters who will receive the Onda Joven Award for their creative freshness, their vocal quality and their ability to connect with new generations. Their rise within the emerging scene places them among the new voices called to set trends.

Flamenco art will have a leading space with Estefanía Cuevas, awarded with the Al Flamenco Award. The dancer, recognized for her refined technique and her forceful stage presence, embodies the fusion between respect for tradition and a contemporary look, contributing to the renewal of flamenco heritage.

The theatrical stage will be represented by Juan Carlos Villanueva, who will receive the Performing Arts Award. His career, marked by his versatility in theater, film and television, has made him a benchmark on the Andalusian and national interpretive scene.

In visual arts, the Plastic Arts Award will go to José María Serrano, a sculptor whose work—loaded with symbolism, technique and conceptual depth—has consolidated him as one of the essential figures of contemporary Andalusian sculpture.

 

Letters, classical music and professional excellence

The literary field will be represented by Marta Rojano, professor at the University of Córdoba and renowned author of popular literature on history. It will receive the 2026 Book Award for its ability to combine academic rigor and accessible dissemination, bringing episodes from the past to audiences of all ages.

One of the most emotional moments of the gala will be the presentation of the Professional Achievement Award to Luis Davila, guitarist and music producer whose career has left its mark on multiple artistic projects. The distinction highlights decades of dedication to musical development inside and outside Andalusia.

At the international level, the International Music Award will go to the classical music pianist Pascual Encarnación, whose projection on national and international stages has established him as a performer of excellence and universal sensitivity.

Also linked to classical music, the Cultural Event Award will go to the Bianca L. Von Berger Festival, established as an essential event for lovers of piano and cultured music. Its commitment to intimate settings and proposals of high artistic quality make it one of the most unique festivals on the calendar.

Literary and educational dissemination will be represented by Yolanda Martínez, presenter of the Talking about Books program and literature teacher in ESO and Baccalaureate. He will receive the Collaboration Award for his work bringing reading closer and promoting critical thinking among students and the general public.

The technological field will be the protagonist thanks to the Audiovisual Production Award, awarded to the Geek Al Día program, specialized in explaining technological developments and changes in the digital environment in a clear and entertaining way. His ability to make complex topics accessible has made him a reference in technological dissemination.

Finally, the Educational Dissemination Award will recognize cybersecurity disseminator David Sánchez, whose work is essential in a context of growing digital challenges. Its content and training activities have helped educate diverse audiences in the responsible and safe use of technology.

A event that consolidates Córdoba as a cultural epicenter

The 2026 edition promises to be an evening of recognition, excitement and celebration of talent. The Patio Cordobés of the Hotel Averroes, with its traditional architecture, its orange trees, its tile work and its intimate atmosphere, will offer the perfect setting for a night in which Córdoba will reclaim its role as a city open to creativity and cultural dialogue.

The 5th Reference Point Awards will not only crown careers and projects: they will also reaffirm the collective commitment to a diverse, inclusive and constantly evolving culture. A culture that, as José María Toro Sánchez defended, continues to be an engine of identity, development and social cohesion.