The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, accompanied by the Delegate for Works and Equipment, Paloma García Romero, and several council members, presided over the awards ceremony for the third edition of the school drawing competition for Christmas lighting design. The event took place this morning at the city hall.

Martínez-Almeida praised the young artists' participation, describing their "wonderful drawings" as an essential part of the "12 million bulbs" that will adorn the city. The mayor highlighted the "creativity" and "talent" of the children, whose designs, in his words, are "the best reflection of a wonderful time."

Taking the opportunity, the mayor invited attendees to the "very special event of the Christmas lighting ceremony in the city of Madrid," reminding them that, although it is June, the official switch-on will occur at the end of November.

The competition was aimed at first and second-grade primary school students, with each school selecting one proposal. A jury chose six winning drawings, valuing the originality and expression of Christmas emotions captured by the participants.

The winners are Arabia Amador Gabarre (CEIP República de Uruguay), Alba Heras Castro (Colegio San Viator), Samuel Politado Nabaonag (Colegio San Antonio), Sofía Liciu Budur (Colegio Zazuar), Amelia Marina Sánchez Díaz (Colegio La Salle Sagrado Corazón), and Mateo Jiménez Miguel (Colegio Madres Concepcionistas).

The selected designs will now be transformed by the technical team of the Works and Equipment Area into lighting elements that will decorate the streets of Madrid next Christmas. The competition aims to foster children's creativity and involve them in the Christmas illumination, which has become an international benchmark.