Las Medallas de la Comunidad de Madrid y las distinciones de la "Orden del Dos de Mayo" de la Comunidad de Madrid son un símbolo de los ideales que nos unen a todos los madrileños.

Medalla de Plata de la Comunidad de Madrid

A Antonio González Gómez, director gerente del
Restaurante Botín, se le ha concedido la Medalla de Plata de la Comunidad de Madrid por su contribución al atractivo turístico y gastronómico de Madrid. Casa Botín, considerado por muchos como el restaurante más antiguo del mundo, es parada
obligada para miles de turistas. A través de tres generaciones de la familia González, Casa Botín ha logrado convertirse en un modelo de buena cocina y hospitalidad.

On the 2nd of May last at the festival of the region of Madrid, the regional president Esperanza Aguirre presented the “Medallas de la Comunidad” and the “Gran Cruz de la Orden del 2 de mayo”. On this occasion, the Gold Medal was a posthumous tribute to the honorary president of Vocento and ABC, the recently deceased journalist Guillermo Luca de Tena, in addition to the Order of Saint John of God. In terms of those honoured with the “Gran Cruz de la Orden del 2 de mayo”, on this occasion it was the trade unionist and politician Nicolas Redondo, the actress and businesswoman Lina Morgan, the cyclist Alberto Contador, the founder of the CEIM José Antonio Segurado, and the president of the Youth Musicians of Madrid, Isabel Falabella.
Amongst others, Botin was also recognised with a silver medal by way of its managing director, Antonio González Gómez, a tribute for which all the Botín family are extremely honoured and grateful. The President had warm, commendatory words for the Restaurante Botín as for the rest of the prize winners.
The event took place on the patio of the Real Casa de Correos, headquarters of the regional government as part of the celebrations in commemoration of Madrid’s heroes who initiated an uprising against Napoleon’s troops in 1808, in defence of liberty and sovereignty.

Rock in Rio’s return to Madrid seemed a distant prospect but nonetheless this month of June will see it become a reality. The stage will once again be Arganda del Rey, in what has been called the City of Rock. The tickets have been on sale since February last and its success with the public appears guaranteed.
The truth is that there will be music for all tastes and in this regard we should pay tribute to the management as it is not easy to bring together artists such as Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) and Metallica or Baron Rojo, but obviously they will be sharing the one festival and not the one stage. The City of Rock is divided into various different areas. On the one side is the World Stage where the most popular national and international artists will perform. Then there is the Sunset Tent, featuring unique, original acts in an area designed for experimentation. Finally there is the Electronic Tent, an area devised for the most prominent national and international DJs.
In addition, the City of Rock will complete its extensive facilities at Rock in Rio 2010 with a Fashion Area, Children’s Area, restaurants, shopping areas, parks, fountains etc.
With regard to the line-up for this year’s event it could not be more exciting or extensive: Robbie Williams, George Michael, Duffy, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Anastasia, Carlinhos Brown, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna, Shakira, Tina Turner, Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, James Blunt, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Linkin Park, Coldplay, El Canto del loco, Julieta Venegas, Maná, Amaral, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Miguel Bosé, Estopa, Fito y Fitipaldis and many more have confirmed their attendance.

On the 22nd of June the “Turner and the Masters” exhibition will arrive in Madrid on route from London and Paris and can be visited here until the 19th September. The exhibition will illustrate the profound influence earlier masters had on the British painter, who studied them in depth but without any criticism for his contemporaries.
The Prado will exhibit 80 works from European and North American institutions and collections. There are also some additions to the exhibitions in London and Paris, such as Shade and Darkness, The Evening of the Deluge, Light and Colour, The Morning after the Deluge and Peace, and Burial at Sea. The paintings are a clear representation of the huge influence that artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Claude Lorrain had on the British painter.
All artists take some lessons from their predecessors, but the case of Turner is more striking, given that over the course of his career he made a conscious effort to emulate and reinterpret works painted by other artists. The more benevolent critics see somebody who is attempting to pay tribute to other artists, but there are also those who see this characteristic of Turner’s as the sign of an egocentric artist, obsessed with competing with others and showing that he is the best, attempting to illustrate the errors of his “rivals”. It’s up to you to judge for yourselves.

Gazpacho is a drink which is both ideal for summer and very Spanish. Although there are many ways of preparing it, the fundamental base is tomato, to which onion, cucumber, peppers, breadcrumbs, olive oil, water and salt are then added. At this point each individual can add their personal touch such as cumin, garlic, etc.
What is clear is that this mixture of vegetables which is typically enjoyed very cold is an important source of water, vitamins (A, C and E), minerals (potassium, sodium and magnesium), anti-oxidants and fibre for the body. It is also common for the product to include vinegar which means that the overall pH is relatively low facilitating on the one hand the absorption of minerals and on the other limiting the spread of microorganisms, which due to its acidity cannot grow in optimum conditions.
It is a worthy representative of the Mediterranean diet. It hydrates, nourishes, is flavoursome and also low in calories. What more could you ask for? So this summer we should all try gazpacho.... one thing is certain, at Botín it’s delicious.

There are many legends and stories circulating regarding the life and identity of San Isidro. It appears that he was a saint who was credited with numerous miraculous acts.
It is told that he was a very devout man, who often had to put up with jokes from neighbours because he used to go the church to pray every day before going to work. One day, the other workers made a complaint about him to the landowner because he had arrived late and the landowner waited outside the church to chastise him…. But when they reached the field, they were astounded to find that the cattle had themselves done the work their caretaker was to do.
Another one of the wonders attributed to him surrounds the fact that every year San Isidro organised a big meal in his home for the most disadvantaged members of the community. On one occasion there were too many attendees and food was scarce, but he put another pot on the stove and the food multiplied miraculously. It is also told that one year during a great drought, San Isidro simply thumped on the ground and water began to spurt out. So much water came out that it was enough to supply the whole city of Madrid.
We are also told that our patron saint loved animals. One day he saw a number of birds in the snow on the point of death due to cold and hunger. He brought a sack of milling grain and did not think twice of giving it to the birds. Curiously enough when he reached the mill, the sack was full again.
These are only some of the miraculous stories that are told of Madrid’s patron saint, of course we will have to see if he honours the refrain “San Isidro Labrador, take away the water and bring the sun” and finally brings good weather to the capital city.... we are fed up with the cold, San Isidro..... Madrid’s people appeal to you!

Having won the battle over the Olympic Stadium in Munich and Britain’s Wembley Stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is set to host the Champions League Final 2010. It’s not the first time this white coliseum has seen the final of a Europe cup. Another three finals were fought out on its pitch: in 1957, 1969 and finally in 1980.
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium is one of the most important temples of world football. It was inaugurated on the 14th of December 1947 with a game between Real Madrid and the Portuguese team Os Belenenses, under the name Nuevo Estadio Chamartín. At that time it had capacity for 75,145 spectators of which only 27,645 were seated. The first goal recorded on the Bernabéu’s scoreboard was scored by Sabino Barinaga.
The first remodelling took place in 1954 increasing the capacity to 110,000 spectators. Then in January 1955 it was agreed that the stadium should take the name of the man behind the concept and its then president, Santiago Bernabéu. In 1980 a new refurbishment project was launched to adapt the stadium in line with FIFA’s current legislation in preparation for the FIFA World Cup held in Spain in 1982 which reduced its capacity to 90,000 people. And finally at the end of the 21st Century new refurbishments began (heating in the stands, new video scoreboards, new boxes and VIP areas, panoramic lifts, restaurants, shops, etc) which have made the Bernabéu the 5 star stadium it is today, classified by UEFA as an “elite stadium”.
Nowadays the so-called “Tour del Bernabéu” allows tourists who visit Madrid and Madrid’s natives to visit the temple in the same way as any of the city’s other monuments, visiting the dressing rooms, the benches, the trophy room, the presidential box, the pitch, to name just a few.

Tapas identify Spanish cooking throughout the world. They are something individual and unique to our gastronomy. They fit perfectly with the international tendency to eat in a haphazard fashion and as such are very exportable, as they are easily and quickly prepared.
Amongst the many events organised in honour of the centenary of Gran Via, we should highlight the World Tapas Festival. It will be held from the 3rd to the 5th of May and the location will be none other than the Plaza de Callao, where a 900 metre tent will be erected with an amphitheatre for 300 people. Here the First International Tapas Contest will be held in addition to culinary demonstrations, tastings, exhibitions, etc.
This World Tapas Festival is organised by “Gastronomicom News” together with the “Agrupación Matritense Gran Vía” and under the technical direction of Luis Cepeda. They are also the people behind one of the most famous pinchos and tapas contests, the National Pinchos and Tapas Contest of the City of Valladolid. At the end of the festival the “Gran Via Centenary Tapa” will be chosen and the International Champions of the Tapa will be proclaimed.

La empresa que gestiona la plaza de Las Ventas, presentará este lunes su propuesta de carteles de la Feria de San Isidro, a la Comunidad de Madrid. Quedan algunos flecos por cerrar, como un puesto para la corrida de Palha, las novilladas y las corridas de rejones, pero el grueso ya está completo.

Sábado 1 de mayo. Toros de Adelaida Rodríguez para Eduardo Gallo, Iván Fandiño y David Mora.

Domingo 2 de mayo. Goyesca. Toros de Carmen Segovia para José Luis Moreno, Diego Urdiales y Sergio Aguilar.

Jueves 6 de mayo. Toros de Salvador Domecq para Curro Díaz, Juan Bautista y Eduardo Gallo.

Viernes 7 de mayo. Toros de José Luis Pereda para Leandro, Iván Fandiño y Morenito de Aranda.

Sábado 8 de mayo. Toros de Samuel Flores para Juan José Padilla, Antonio Ferrera y Luis Miguel Encabo.

Domingo 9 de mayo. Toros Dolores Aguirre para Rafaelillo, Joselillo y Fernando Cruz.

Lunes 10 de mayo. Novillada con picadores.

Martes 11 de mayo. Toros de Martelilla para Miguel Abellán, César Jiménez y Arturo Macías (confirmación de alternativa).

Miércoles 12 de mayo. Toros de Los Bayones para Gabriel Picazo, Emilio de Justo e Israel Lancho.

Jueves 13 de mayo. Toros de Parladé para Diego Urdiales, Matías Tejela y José Manuel Más (alternativa).

Viernes 14 de mayo. Toros de Alcurrucén para Uceda Leal, El Cid y Miguel Tendero.

Sábado 15 de mayo. Toros de Garcigrande para El Juli, Sebastián Castella y Daniel Luque.

Domingo 16 de mayo. Corrida de rejones.

Lunes 17 de mayo. Novillada con picadores.

Martes 18 de mayo. Toros de Puerto San Lorenzo para El Cid, Sebastián Castella y Rubén Pinar.

Miércoles 19 de mayo. Toros de Núñez del Cuvillo para un rejoneador, José María Manzanares, Miguel Ángel Perera y Alejandro Talavante.

Jueves 20 de mayo. Toros Baltasar Ibán para Eugenio de Mora, Serafín Marín y Luis Bolívar.

Viernes 21 de mayo. Toros de Juan Pedro Domecq para Julio Aparicio, Morante de la Puebla y José María Manzanares.

Sábado 22 de mayo. Corrida de rejones.

Domingo 23 de mayo. Toros Cuadri para López Chaves, David Mora y Salvador Cortés.

Lunes 24 de mayo. Novillada con picadores.

Martes 25 de mayo. Corrida de la Prensa. Toros de distintas ganaderías para El Juli, Miguel Ángel Perera y Cayetano.

Miércoles 26 de mayo. Toros de Antonio Bañuelos para Uceda Leal, El Capea y Javier Cortés (confirma alternativa).

Jueves 27 de mayo. Toros Javier Pérez Tabernero para Antonio Ferrera, Sergio Aguilar y Luis Bolívar.

Viernes 28 de mayo. Toros de Palha para Fernando Robleño, Francisco Javier Corpas y otro.

Sábado 29 de mayo. Toros de Adolfo Martín para Antonio Barrera, Javier Valverde y Rafaelillo.

Domingo 30 de mayo. Corrida de rejones.

Lunes 31 de mayo. Toros de Valdefresno para Diego Urdiales, Miguel Tendero y Rubén Pinar.

Martes 1 de junio. Toros de El Cortijillo para Miguel Abellán, Juan Bautista y Arturo Macías.

Miércoles 2 de junio. Beneficencia. Toros de Núñez del Cuvillo para Morante de la Puebla, Cayetano y Daniel Luque.

Jueves 3 de junio. Toros Victoriano del Río para Frascuelo, José Tomás y Sebastián Castella.

Viernes 4 de junio. Toros de La Palmosilla para Julio Aparicio, El Fandi y Matías Tejela.

Sábado 5 de junio. Toros de Vellosino para Juan Mora, Javier Conde y Curro Díaz.

Domingo 6 de junio. Corrida de rejones.

Sábado 12 de junio. Toros de El Ventorillo para Manolo Sánchez, José Tomás y Alejandro Talavante.

Unos oficiales y otros populares, lo cierto es que la Gran Vía, a lo largo de sus 100 años de historia, ha tenido varios nombres. En sus inicios, cada uno de sus tres tramos se llamó de forma diferente (Eduardo Dato, Avenida de Pi y Margall y Conde de Peñalver). Justo antes de comenzar la Guerra Civil, en 1936, pasó a llamarse Avenida de la CNT y ya en plena contienda, primero Avenida de Rusia y luego Avenida de la Unión Soviética, aunque el pueblo de Madrid, en esta época, preferían llamarla Avenida de los Obuses, por motivos obvios, y Avenida del quince y medio, en referencia a los proyectiles del ejército franquista.
Acabada la guerra con Franco en el poder, la calle pasó a denominarse Avenida de José Antonio como homenaje a José Antonio Primo de Rivera, fundador de la Falange Española. Ya en 1981, en plena transición, el Alcalde de Madrid, Enrique Tierno Galvan le cambió nuevamente el nombre , llamándose, desde entonces Gran Vía .