Castelo Branco Mayor honored in Salamanca for cultural cooperation

Leopoldo Rodrigues, the Mayor of Castelo Branco, was honored by the Ayuntamiento de Salamanca during the “Dia de Portugal” celebrations. The distinction took place as part of the XXIX Encontros de Poetas Ibero-Americanos.

The award recognizes Rodrigues’ efforts to strengthen cultural, poetic, and institutional ties between the Beira Baixa region and Salamanca. This cooperation dates back to 2018, when Rodrigues helped establish the António Salvado / Cidade de Castelo Branco International Poetry Prize to foster dialogue between Portuguese and Spanish-speaking authors.

During the ceremony, Salamanca Mayor Carlos García Carbayo described the honor as a testament to transborder fraternity, noting the shared history and affection between the two territories. Rodrigues expressed his honor, stating that public action should aim to improve the lives of citizens through such cultural connections.