Awards of the 79th National Rose Contest in Reus 2026

On Saturday, May 9, the Centre de Lectura de Reus energized the city with the awards ceremony of the 79th National Rose Exhibition Contest, an event that awakens passion and emotion. This traditional floral event, which can be visited until Monday at the Bartrina Theatre, attracts both experts and lovers of nature and floral art.

Reus, considered the capital of Camp de Tarragona, thus reaffirms its connection with culture and floriculture, making it clear that the rose is much more than a flower: it is an identity and cultural symbol.

Main and special awards of the contest in Reus

Awardees in the main categories

The first prizes of the contest went to three outstanding participants:

• Araceli Mestre in the Standard Rose category
• Cori Capdevila in the Polyantha category
• Misericòrdia Fonts Capdevila in the Miniatures category

Recognized special awards

Several special awards were also presented recognizing unique qualities of the roses and their arrangements, including:

• Ramon Fonts Capdevila for the best “City of Reus” rose
• Araceli Mestres for the “Centre de Lectura 1859” rose and the best specimen “Albert Via”
• Encarna Albea for the most fragrant rose
• Marta Fernández for the best specimen
• Josefina Cristià for the best “Pau Casals” rose
• Josepa Boada for the best “Gaudí” rose and the best “Roses Pere Dot” collection

Awards of the 40th Floral Arrangements Contest

Awards by creative categories

The floral arrangements contest also had significant weight, with six awards highlighting different virtues:

• Award for the most creative work: Núria Fonoll for the arrangement “Interruption”
• Award for the most balanced work: Anna Moliner for the arrangement “Life on Mars”
• Award for the work with the best floral materials and balance: Daria Pordkhnero for “Tropical Roses”

Awards for sustainability and technique

• Award for the most respectful or sustainable work: Anna Adserà for “Forest of Roses”
• Award for the work that best dignifies the roses: Encarna Albea for “Harmony”
• Award for the best executed floral technique: Blanca Fonts for “Underwood”

Instagram Contest and cultural projection in Reus

Winner of the digital contest

A new dimension of this event is the Instagram contest #rosesCLR2026, which this year awarded the photograph “Roser Joaquima Gallisà Reus2” signed by Joan Mateo Marco. This initiative connects the younger, digital audience with the floral tradition.

Importance and institutional support

The National Rose Exhibition Contest, organized by the Centre de Lectura with the collaboration of the City Promotion department of the Reus City Council, is a key element of the “Roses of Reus” campaign. Since 2021, this campaign has promoted Reus as a tourist, gastronomic, and cultural reference centered on the rose, strengthening the city’s image and its heritage.