Italy honours Joaquín Cortés: Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy

Madrid, 24 September 2026. The Italian Republic has awarded Joaquín Cortés the Order of the Star of Italy (Ordine della Stella d’Italia) in the rank of Officer, the honour with which Italy recognises those who have contributed to friendship and cooperation between Italy and other countries. The insignia was presented last night in the garden of the Italian Embassy in Madrid, at a dinner hosted by Ambassador Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi and Mrs Monica Buccino Grimaldi.

The honour was conferred by decree of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, signed in Rome on 30 December 2024 and countersigned by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani. The decree was read during the ceremony and Antonieta Cornacchia pinned the insignia on the artist’s lapel.

Four decades with Italy

Accepting the honour, Joaquín Cortés looked back on a relationship with Italy that began at fourteen, with his first performance in Venice: “There was a full moon that night, and a fourteen-year-old boy went to Piazza San Marco at five in the morning to look at it. It was like being inside a dream.” This month, after the Venice Film Festival, he returned to the square at the same hour “to remember that journey through time, more than forty years on”.

“I have always said Italy is my second home after Spain,” he said. His speech named the stages and the people of that story: the Colosseum in Rome, the Verona Arena and the Greek Theatre of Taormina; the film shot in Rome with Maria Grazia Cucinotta; his friendship with Raffaella Carrà; and Giorgio Armani, who dressed several of his productions, among them Pasión Gitana. He also recalled the night he danced at the Academy Awards to the music of Life Is Beautiful.

“I have received many tributes in many countries, but this one reaches my heart,” the artist said, closing with a promise: “Let us hope nobody takes away what I have danced, and that I keep dancing for a long time yet.”

The evening

Guests included José Antonio Ruiz-Berdejo, Count of Sigurtà, together with the dancer’s family and friends. Soprano María Elena Infantino provided the music of the night.

The Order of the Star of Italy, successor to the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity created in 1947, is the honour with which the Republic recognises Italian and foreign citizens who have distinguished themselves in promoting friendship and collaboration with Italy. It joins the recognitions Italy has given the artist, including the special award of the Italian Red Cross on its 160th anniversary (Rome, 2024).

Photographs: Luis Mentado and Mahadev Rojas Torres.