Pedro Miguel Echenique among the winners of the first “Hitz Sariak-Word Awards”
These awards, jointly created by the Noticias Group and Iberdrola, were launched with the aim of promoting the value of words and commitment in the Basque Country
Pedro Miguel Echenique received one of the six awards presented in the first edition of the “Hitz Sariak – Word Awards”, created jointly by Grupo Noticias and Iberdrola to honour Basque individuals, projects and organisations that embody values such as commitment, confidence, entrepreneurship, universality, roots and dedication.
The Basque physicist was awarded the “Konfiantza / Confidence” award at a ceremony held at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
After receiving the award, Echenique remarked that he was confident that the research and teaching community would “freely choose their own path, without fear of making mistakes”, and thanked the Basque institutions for their continued support for the advancement of knowledge and critical thinking.
He also stressed the importance of the Basque language, “which embodies the history of our people, and must continue to do so in future”. He added that “although laws to protect the Basque language are essential, they are not enough; we need to maintain a sense of pride in being Basque speakers and in belonging to Euskal Herria”.
The “Hitz Sariak-Word Awards” presented in the six categories were as follows:
Word Award for Entrepreneurship
Hasier Larrea, founder & CEO of Ori, for his impressive career at MIT in Boston and his entrepreneurial spirit, aimed at improving people’s quality of life through innovation in the design of spaces.
Word Award for Universality
Inma Shara, conductor, for her career with leading orchestras on the world’s finest stages, with the universal language of music.
Word Award for Confidence
Pedro Miguel Echenique, scientist specialised in solid state physics, for his passionate devotion to research – acclaimed by the world’s leading institutions – and his important work in popularising science.
Word Award for Dedication
Juan Ignacio Vidarte, Director General of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, for his tireless work to make the new Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which opened 32 years ago, one of the leading centres on the international art scene.
Word Award for Roots
Bittor Arginzoniz, chef of Asador Etxebarri, for remaining loyal to the roots of Basque cuisine and produce, providing honest, straightforward food from Atxondo, the place where he was born.
Word Award for Commitment
José Ángel Iribar, a role model in the football world, a shining example of commitment to a project and a community – Athletic Club – to which he has remained loyal beyond his professional career as a footballer.
