Joaquín Sabina will receive an Honorary Doctorate, a recognition awarded by the University of Guadalajara. In an ordinary session held at the Santander Performing Arts Complex, with the participation of 141 of the 196 councilors, the UdeG approved this initiative.
In recognition of his contribution to the cultural heritage of the Spanish language, the ceremony will be held at the 2025 Guadalajara International Book Fair.
The Rector General, Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí, explained that the idea of granting this recognition arose during a meeting with the Spanish Minister of Culture, where it was proposed to invite Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquín Sabina to the FIL 2024 Forum to receive their doctorates. However, both artists were unable to attend, so only Sabina confirmed his presence for the 2025 edition. The Rector left open the possibility that Serrat could receive this honor in the future.
Villanueva Lomelí highlighted Sabina’s influence on his personal life and during difficult times at the University. He mentioned one of the singer-songwriter’s most iconic quotes: “May being brave not be so expensive and may being a coward not be worth it.” He emphasized the impact of his work beyond music.
On December 7, 2024, Sabina performed at the Telmex Auditorium with his “Hola y adiós” tour. That night, he announced that the University of Guadalajara would award him an Honorary Doctorate at the 2025 FIL, thanks to the invitation of the rector.
Born in Úbeda, Jaén, in 1949, Joaquín Sabina has transcended the musical world with a career spanning more than five decades. With 17 studio albums and seven live albums, he has consolidated his legacy with iconic songs such as “19 días y 500 noches,” “Princesa,” and “Calle Melancolía.” His lyrics, full of poetry and social criticism, have made him a benchmark in Spanish music.
