On April 29th the Committee met in London -led by the Spanish Ambassador, Carlos Miranda-. According to the guidelines for the prize, its aim is to reward “the best work published in the press or broadcasted by radio or TV in the United Kingdom, that can contribute to the communication and mutual understanding between the British and Spanish peoples” in 2007. The title is related to the historical figure of Eleanor of Castile (1244-1290), married to the English king Edward I. This marriage is an example of good understanding, then, between Castile and England and now between Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Committee decided to name Graham Keeley as the recipient of the award for his article Spanish Eyes, published in THE INDEPENDENT on May 16th 2007. The Committee valued “the formal quality of the piece submitted and the original and attractive approach to modern Spanish architecture. Graham Keeley, through the new Spanish architecture projects, shows a modern country where all kinds of tendencies and nationalities have a say”.

Graham Keeley, who was born in 1967 and has been based in Barcelona since 2003, has worked as a journalist in the UK and Spain. He has been published in THE INDEPENDENT, THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES, THE OBSERVER, SUNDAY TIMES and SUNDAY TELEGRAPH. Keely is married and is the father of a baby son. BA in Politics and History, Manchester University.

On June 3rd a reception will be held at the residence of the Ambassador in London. The prize is an award of  £2,000.