Last Saturday, June 20, the Universidad Libre de Infantes “Santo Tomás de Villanueva” (ULI) held the opening ceremony for its summer activities, an event that brought together institutional representatives, members of the university community, and local residents to celebrate knowledge, culture, and the recognition of talent and excellence.

The event began with a keynote lecture delivered by Manuel Pérez Jiménez, a professor and researcher at the University of Alcalá, who presented a talk titled “The Pastoral Universe and Don Quixote’s La Mancha,” a reflection on the cultural and literary context of Cervantes’ work and its connection to the La Mancha region.

This was followed by the traditional awards ceremony, through which the institution annually honors individuals who stand out for their professional careers, their commitment to society, and their contributions to cultural, scientific, and economic development.

This year’s awards were presented to:

· Carmen Caballero Klink, for her contribution and work in the preservation and promotion of historical and archival heritage.

· Francisco Antonio Moya Rubio, director of the La Mancha Philharmonic Orchestra, for his contribution and dedication to the promotion and dissemination of music.

· José María Alberdi Frías, for his outstanding contribution to the practice of medicine and for brilliantly continuing the family tradition of physicians in Villanueva de los Infantes.

· Félix Solís Yáñez, for his contribution to the development of the wine industry in Castilla-La Mancha, in Spain, and internationally.

The ceremony, which was enlivened by music from the “Arco y alma” Trio, was attended by Mayor Carmen María Montalbán and other members of the municipal council.

To round out the day, attendees participated in the traditional floral offering to Saint Thomas of Villanueva, patron saint of Villanueva de los Infantes and a figure who inspires the humanist spirit that guides the Free University of Infantes.

About the Free University of Infantes

The Free University of Infantes “Santo Tomás de Villanueva,” founded in 2012, is a space for reflection, research, and the dissemination of knowledge, created with the purpose of restoring the traditional role of the university as a driving force for critical thinking, culture, and the analysis of future challenges.

Among its main objectives are the promotion of knowledge and research, the preservation and celebration of historical, cultural, and humanistic heritage, the study of the roots that shape our collective identity, and the creation of spaces for dialogue that contribute to understanding the changes of our time.