The City Council approves the designation of a public space in honor of Aurelio Gurrea for his career and dedication to serving Estepona

The Estepona City Council plenary session today approved the naming of a public space in the city “Plaza Aurelio Gurrea Chalé” in recognition of the outstanding social, cultural, educational, and professional work he has carried out in the municipality for more than five decades.

His long career has been recognized with numerous honors, including his designation as an Honorary Citizen of Estepona in 2019 and, more recently, the award of the Distinguished Cross of the 2nd Degree of San Raimundo de Peñafort, granted by the Ministry of Justice.

With the approval of this proposal, the Estepona City Council wishes to leave a permanent record of the city’s gratitude and recognition for a person whose life has been marked by service to others, the defense of social causes, the promotion of culture, and a constant commitment to Estepona.

The municipal proposal states that “since his arrival in the city, he has maintained a firm commitment to social causes and the well-being of the most vulnerable groups, becoming a leading figure in numerous areas of local life.”

One of the most notable milestones in his career has been his association with APRONA. In 1982, he was elected president of this association and, together with other organizations in the sector, spearheaded efforts to secure grants and subsidies that ensured the continued operation of the centers and improved care for people with intellectual disabilities. More than four decades later, he continues to lead APRONA, which currently operates one of the most advanced and important centers in Andalusia.

His commitment to this community also led him to serve as president of the Málaga Association of Organizations for People with Intellectual Disabilities (AMADPSI). In recognition of his years of volunteer work and dedication, he received the Gold Medal from FEAPS Andalucía—now Plena Inclusión Andalucía—in 2004.

He also serves as treasurer of the Málaga Guardianship Foundation, an organization that provides support as a guardian, conservator, or judicial administrator to more than 800 people with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and older adults with dementia in the province of Málaga.

His dedication to service was also evident during the years he served as captain of the Red Cross at Sea’s deep-sea vessel in Estepona, participating in numerous maritime rescues and risking his own life in notable operations such as the rescue following the sinking of the oceanographic vessel “Náucrates.” For this work, he was awarded the Red Cross Silver Medal.

Aurelio Gurrea has also been a driving force behind important community initiatives in the city, serving as a promoter and drafter of the bylaws for the Federation of Parents’ Associations for Education in Estepona and Its Region (FEDESPA), as well as for the Association for the Defense of Abandoned Animals (ADANA) in Estepona.

In the cultural and musical spheres, his contribution to life in Estepona has been equally outstanding. A studio musician, composer, and full member of the General Society of Authors and Publishers (SGAE), he founded the “Santa María de los Remedios” Children’s Choir in 1985, served as the founding conductor of the Magnum Mysterium Choir, conducted the Choir of the Brotherhood of Cristo del Amor, and created the “Unión Musical Veracruz” Marching Band. He also served as principal conductor of the Estepona Municipal Band and has composed numerous works dedicated to the city and various local institutions.

As a writer, he is the co-author of the poetry collections *Con Palabras* and *Horizontes*, published by the Culture Department of the Estepona City Council. He has also served as the official herald at numerous local fairs, festivals, and Holy Week celebrations, actively participating in various social and cultural organizations in the town.

Professionally, Aurelio Gurrea has had a distinguished career in the fields of economics, business, and law. Trained as a certified public accountant, he later expanded his education by earning bachelor’s degrees in Economics, Business Administration and Management, and Law. He is currently president of the law firm Dictum Abogados and a professor of Bankruptcy Law at CEU San Pablo University in Madrid.

His institutional responsibilities include having served as president of the Official Association of Certified Public Accountants of Málaga, as vice dean of the Professional Association of Economists of Málaga, and as a corresponding member of the Institute of Business at the National Academy of Law and Social Sciences in Córdoba (Argentina). In addition, in 2019 he was appointed president of the Ibero-American Institute of Bankruptcy Law.