The golden drum

What it is

Icono tamborrada

The reason for awarding the Golden Drum is to distinguish individual or corporate persons who, as a result of their daily business, their professional background and influence or for any other reason, have actively and notably contributed to consolidating a positive and attractive external image of the city, increasing its potential for tourism, enabling knowledge of the place, etc. The distinction can be awarded posthumously when warranted by the circumstances.

The award was created in 1967. Initially the rules for granting the distinction only allowed it to go to personalities who had not been born in San Sebastián. The rules changed in 1986 to allow the distinction to go to those born in the city as well.

Today a single Golden Drum is given every year and it can be left unawarded if necessary.

MEDALLAS2024The Mayor of Donostia / San Sebastián, Eneko Goia, presents the high award of the city - "Golden Drum 2024" - to Isabel Verdini Carranza - Verdini Dantza taldea

How it is decided

The citizens of San Sebastián can propose their candidates and make their arguments as to why they think that the said person should receive the award. An analysis is made of the proposals and the Meeting of Spokespeople makes a first selection of 3 candidates at the most.

If at the time of selecting the finalists, there is a qualified majority of the Meeting of Spokespeople around a candidacy by two thirds of its members and with a weighted representation of the Plenary, the Golden Drum may be granted directly. If this majority is not achieved, the election of the Golden Drum will be opened to the public through a popular vote. Finally, the City Council Plenary session approves granting of the Golden Drum to the chosen person.

List of winners - Golden Drum

2024
realweb

Isabel Verdini Carranza

She has been dedicated to training in the world of dance for more than 25 years, creating her own teaching method called the Verdini Method. During her period of training in dance, her niece Haizea was born with Down syndrome. This event marked her life and since then she dedicated himself to working for people with disabilities, creating the company Verdini Dantza Taldea.

2023
realweb

Javier García Cogorro

CEO of Viralgen. For his career and contribution to promoting the city as a city of science and knowledge

2022
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Esther Ferrer Ruiz

Interdisciplinary artist.

2021

Due to COVID19 the Golden Drum was not granted.

2020
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Real Sociedad women's football and hockey teams

Queen's Cup (Copa de la Reina) champions (football) and European Cup runners-up (hockey).

2019
rosagarcia

Dña. Rosa García

Spokesperson for the "Stop Desahucios" ("Stop Evictions") platform.

2018
richardoribe

Richard Oribe

Elected by popular vote. Paralympic swimmer, winner of sixteen medals at the Summer Paralympics Games between 1996 and 2012.

2017

The prize was declared void.

2016
cristinaiglesias

Cristina Iglesias

Sculptor and engraver from San Sebastian.

2015
pedrosubijana

Pedro Subijana

Chef at the Akelarre restaurant and president of Eurotoques.

2014
joaquinfuentes def

Joaquín Fuentes

Child psychiatrist. Vice President of the World Association of Child Psychiatry and renowned specialist in autism. He is currently head of the Gipuzkoa Polyclinic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry service and has contributed over the last three decades to the development of Gautena (Autism Guipuzcoan Association). He won the award for projecting the good name of the city in the scientific and medical field, and for his key role in bringing the International Congress on Autism-International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) to San Sebastian.

2013
clasicass

Clásica de San Sebastián

Cycling race held in the month of August whose route begins and ends in the city. It was part of the Cycling World Cup from its creation in 1989 until the 2004 edition. It is currently the only one-day State event included in the UCI WorldTour (formerly the UCI ProTour).

2012
fortuna

CD Fortuna KE

For the organization of the Behobia-San Sebastián race, a popular race that runs between Behobia (neighborhood of Irún) and San Sebastián, several tens of thousands of people usually participate.

2011
xabialonso

Xabi Alonso

Footballer trained in Antiguoko (a San Sebastián's football club). World Champion in 2010 with the Spanish National Team.

2010
laoreja

La Oreja de Van Gogh

Pop music group from San Sebastián, they are awarded for naming the city and its festivities in the lyrics of their songs on more than one occasion, making their city known to the world through their songs.

2009
iñigoolaizola

Iñigo Olaizola

Promoter of the Donosti Cup. Annual grassroots football tournament that brings together more than 200 teams from around the world.

2008
cristinagarmendia

Cristina Garmendia

Biologist from Donostia based in Madrid. President of Genetrix and the Inbiomed Foundation, "for her work in disseminating and promoting San Sebastián as an innovative and scientific city and her contribution to promoting from nowhere, against all odds, the conversion of Donostia into a Biopolo" The biologist would be elected a few months later Minister of Science and Innovation in the second cabinet of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

2007
pedroabregook

Pedro Abrego

Navarrese restaurateur (from Lerín) based in Madrid. Owner of Asador Donostiarra and Txistu, famous Basque restaurants in Madrid; "for his special connection with the city through its restaurants, his years close to the Real Sociedad or the Orfeón Donostiarra, his cult and dedication to Basque cuisine".

2006
inigoargomaniz

Iñigo Argomaniz

Music promoter from San Sebastián. He is awarded the Tambor for his work in hiring relevant concerts for the city with the tourist and cultural attraction they generate.

2005
martinberasategui

Martín Berasategui

San Sebastián's restaurateur.

2004
chillida

Chillida Leku

An open-air museum located in Hernani, just 10 km from San Sebastián, which includes the work of the sculptor from San Sebastian, Eduardo Chillida. Since its inauguration in 2000, it has become one of the most important cultural and tourist elements in the San Sebastián area, becoming a powerful factor of attraction and international importance.

2003

The prize was declared void.

2002
ricardoetxepare

D. Ricardo Etxepare

Director since 1984 of the summer courses of the University of the Basque Country (UPV), which are held in San Sebastián and of the School of Industrial Technical Engineering of San Sebastián. Born in Irún

2001
diegogalan

D. Diego Galán

Director of the Donostia/San Sebastián International Film Festival in the periods 1986-1989 and 1995-2000.

2000
olazabal

D. José Mª Olazabal

Golf player; born in Hondarribia

1999
AINHOARTETA

Dña. Ainhoa Arteta

Opera singer; soprano. Born in Tolosa

1998
querejeta viedma

D. Elías Querejeta

Film producer born in Hernani


D. Javier Gil de Biedma

Businessman. President of the International Federation of Basque Pelota from 1970 to 1978. Vice President of Real Madrid between 1978 and 1992

1997
distefano muguerza

D. Alfredo di Stéfano

Spanish-Argentine footballer.


D. Felipe E.Muguerza

President of the Basque Houses (Euskal Etxeak) of Argentina

1996
1996

D. Antonio Mercero

Film and television director and screenwriter born in Lasarte.


Dña. Araceli Gonzalez Campa

Journalist, presenter with Fernando Argenta of 'Clásicos Populares' and 'El conciertazo'


D. Fernando Martín de Argenta

Journalist, musician and popular presenter for years of 'Clásicos Populares' and 'El Conciertazo', two public radio and television programs that brought classical music closer to generations of Spaniards

1995
urza seguraweb

D. Justo Segura

Gipuzkoan priest and missionary in Japan. For his work in establishing the twinning between San Sebastián and the Japanese city of Marugame.


D. Carmelo Urza

Biscayan university professor (from Erandio). Professor of Hispanic Philology at the University of Reno (Nevada) and coordinator of the study abroad program. For his contribution to the twinning between Reno and San Sebastián.

1994
oliver atutxaweb

D. Xabier Oliver

Xabier Oliver president of the AEACP (Spanish Association of Advertising Communication Agencies) when, in 1993, the Advertising Film Festival was renamed the San Sebastian Advertising Festival.


D. Miguel Atutxa

Hotel entrepreneur, owner of the Aranzazu chain. For having inaugurated the emblematic Hotel Costa Vasca in 1979, the difficult time of transition, and later betting on the Aránzazu.

1993
odriozola tour

D. José Mª Odriozola

President of the Spanish Athletics Federation.


Sdad. Tour de France

Organizing company of the Tour de France. For having granted the start of the 1992 edition to the city.

1992
luisrizar

D. Luis Irizar

Chef and master chef.

1991
marino lafont

D. Antxon Lafont

Director of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce


D. Marino Lejarreta

Cyclist

1990
zatopek pacoramos

D. Emil Zatopek

Athlete.


D. Paco Ramos

Sevillian restaurateur, for being ambassador of San Sebastian in his city and throughout Andalusia.

1989
gabrielcelaya

D. Gabriel Celaya

Poet.

1988
iñakigabilondo

D. Iñaki Gabilondo

Journalist.

1987
pilarmiro beltranosorio

Doña Pilar Miró

For her decisive role as General Director of Cinematography in the recovery of category A of the FIAPF of the San Sebastian Film Festival. It was tradition for the recipients of the Golden Drum to dine with the authorities on the night of the 19th at the Gaztelubide gastronomic society, whose regulations at that time prevented women from entering. That year the institutional representatives dined in Gaztelubide (lehendakari, deputy general and mayor), together with the other winner of that year; while Pilar Miró dined at the Arzak restaurant with the deputy mayor Pilar Larraina, the mayor's wife, the director of the San Sebastián Film Festival Diego Galán and the then councilor Odón Elorza.


Excmo.Sr. D. Beltrán Alfonso Osorio (XVIII Duque de Alburquerque)

Head of the House of the Counts of Barcelona.

1986
LAXALT2

Mr. Robert Laxalt

Basque-American writer.

1985
ALFREDOLANDAweb

D. Alfredo Landa

Actor.

1984

The prize was declared void.

The plenary rejected that the distinction would go to the Dukes of Alba.

1983
TONONI BUHIGAS

D. Giorgio Tononi

Mayor of Trento, a Italian city twinned with San Sebastián.


D. Oriol Bohigas

Architect

1982
igual aramburu

D. Mario Igual

Pirotechinician


D. Pello Aramburu

Founder of the Euskal Etxea (Basque Center)of Madrid.

1981
domingo fedinglesa

English Athletics Federation

In recognition of the participation of outstanding British athletes in the San Sebastián International Cross.


D. Xabier Domingo Castaño

Journalist.

Two years later, the plenary session of the city council decided to take away the award as a result of a certain controversial article referring to the Basque Country that he wrote.

1980
klein lopategi tarbes

D. Armin Klein

For his work in relations with the twinned city of Wiesbaden.


D. Jesús Lopategui

Emigrant in the US.


Town of Tarbes (France)

For his effort after the accident of a bus going towards San Sebastián with San Sebastián's citizens.

1979
usubiaga baroja dutornier

Dña.Carmen Usobiaga

In charge of bringing students from California.


Julio Caro Baroja

Writer, essayist and anthropologist.


Mr. Paul Dutournier

Mayor of Sara

1978
coronel castejon

Luis Coronel de Palma

Ambassador of Spain in Mexico.


Benito Castejón

President of the Higher Sports Council.

1977
calabuig etchegaray

D. Mari Calabuig

Customs administrator.


Mr. Paul Barriere

Director of the Biarritz casino.


Vicente Etchegaray Ortiz

Resident in Mexico.

1976
GOYENECHE CAVERO

Excmo.Sr. D. José Manuel Goyeneche (Conde de Guaqui)

President of the Horse Breeding Society.


D. Rafael Cavero

President of the Athletics Federation.

1975
oreja aldama

Excmo.Sr. D. Marcelino Oreja

Politician and diplomat.


Ilmo.Sr.D. Enrique de Aldama

General Director of Roads, for his management in the construction of the San Sebastián Bypass.

1974
fruhbeck esteve

D. Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos

Orchestra director.


D. Luis Puig Esteve

President of the Spanish Cycling Federation.

1973
zumel horno

D. Mariano Fernández Zúmel

Doctor and surgeon.


Ilmo.Sr.D. Mariano Horno Liria

Mayor of Zaragoza.

1972
carabias sanchez

Dña. Josefina Carabias

Journalist


D. Alfonso Sánchez

Journalist and film critic.

1971
solero bohorques

D. José Luis Pérez Solero

Journalist.


D. José Álvarez de las Asturias Bohorques Goyeneche

Personality linked to the Lasarte Racecourse.

1970
rozpide

D. F. Castro Pires de Lima

Portuguese journalist.


D. Manuel Rózpide

President of the Spanish Pelota Federation.

1969
RUIZ LATTO

D. Victor Ruiz Iriarte

Playwright.


Mr. Jan Latto

Airline director.

1968
lomas pinillos

D. Miguel Angel García Lomas

Person who managed the lighting of the Bahía de La Concha.


Ilmo.Sr. D. Luis Martin Pinillos

Navy Commander.


Excmo.Sr.D. Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena

Theatrical author.

1967
bastos echarri petit cebrian

D. Manuel Bastos

Famous and prestigious Aragonese doctor; known as one of the most faithful vacationers.


D. Miguel de Echarri

Director of the San Sebastian Film Festival.


D. Guy Petit

Mayor of the French-Basque city of Bayonne.


D. Guillermo Cebrian

Consul of Spain in Hendaye.

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