Manga Barcelona Receives Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts

The Barcelona-based event, founded in 1995, is recognized by the Ministry of Culture for its contribution to cultural dissemination.

Generic image of a manga character.
IA

Generic image of a manga character.

The Barcelona event, Manga Barcelona, has been honored with the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts 2026, one of the highest cultural awards granted by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.

This recognition celebrates the event's significant contribution to the dissemination of culture across Spain. The award ceremony took place at the Teatro Rojas in Toledo, presided over by the King and Queen of Spain, honoring a total of 38 personalities and entities.
Among the Catalan recipients are actor Eduard Fernández, actor and director Josep Maria Pou, film producer Pere Portabella, and writer Eva Baltasar.

"This award will strengthen the event's future projection, with the aim of continuing to bring Japanese culture closer to new generations and consolidating its position as a leading event in Spain."

Meritxell Puig · Director of Manga Barcelona
Manga Barcelona, established in 1995, has promoted the spread of manga and anime for three decades. It has become an annual meeting point for creators and the public, fostering cultural ties between Spain and Japan. The organization views this award as a collective recognition of the event's trajectory, the dedication of its professionals, and the vitality of a diverse and growing community.