The Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of La Palma, founded in 1776, has been awarded the IV Bravo Murillo Award at an event held at the Gabinete Literario in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of La Palma (RSEAPLP), which will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, has received the IV Bravo Murillo Award, a recognition granted by the Gaveta Económica to institutions that have promoted the economic and social progress of the Canary Islands. The award was presented on Thursday at the Gabinete Literario in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, during an event attended by representatives from the political, business, and cultural spheres of the archipelago.
The distinction comes at a symbolic moment for the La Palma entity, which has seen its trajectory of resilience and volunteerism recognised. The award has been jointly granted to the Royal Economic Societies of Gran Canaria, La Palma, and Tenerife, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the first two —Tenerife will celebrate it in 2027—.
A recognition of survival
The president of the RSEAPLP, Felipe Jorge Pais Pais, received the award accompanied by the secretary, José María Catalá Robert, and Elías Castro Feliciano. In his speech, Pais Pais thanked for the award and highlighted the efforts of those who have kept the institution alive.
“Against all odds, we have managed to survive thanks, above all, to the volunteerism of many people who have remained anonymous and whom we aim to give visibility.”The event also featured the presence of previous award winners: the Business Circle of Gran Canaria, represented by its president Juan Ramírez Said; the REF Chair, with its director Salvador Miranda Calderín; and Juan Miguel Sanjuán, president of Satocan. Antonio Salazar, director of the Gaveta Económica, was responsible for presenting the award.
The future of the La Palma society
Pais Pais took the opportunity to outline the challenges facing the entity in the future. The RSEAPLP, which has already expanded its area of action to the entire island, is now seeking a stable headquarters and to increase its social base among two key groups: women and young people. “The underlying idea is to continue supporting initiatives that we consider important for the progress of La Palma, with various sensitivities represented,” the president stated. The society, which has come close to disappearing several times, aims to regain the dynamic role it had in past centuries, adapting to new times. For the residents of La Palma, this award represents a boost for an institution that is part of the island's cultural and intellectual heritage, and which now seeks to connect with new generations. The next step will be to consolidate its headquarters and open the doors to more members, with the goal of ensuring that the entity remains a reference in the debate and promotion of island development.
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