Mikel Urmeneta, one of the founder members of Kukuxumusu, has been given recognition with the award of the “Vasco Universal del Año” (Universal Basque person of the year) 2009. This award is granted by the savings bank Caja Laboral and by the Basque Government to distinguish people, associations or entities whose work has meant a positive reflection for the image of the Basques abroad and outside the Basque country. The announcement was made today by Julián Celaya, the director for citizens and the Basque communities abroad for the Basque government and by Juan Cid, Director of Communications in the savings bank, Caja Laboral, at a press conference which took place at midday today at the Lehendakaritza, headquarters of the Basque Government in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Urmeneta will receive the award at the hands of Patxi López, Lehendakari (Prime minister) of the Basque Government, next 1st of July in Vitoria-Gasteiz. At the same event, the work of Javier Agirresarobe from Guipuzca, the movie photographic director, and well-known for his work in movies such as “Mar adentro”, “Los otros” or “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” will also be awarded.

After receiving the news, Urmeneta expressed his surprise and, at the same time, his pride in getting this award. He was quick to add that the award is also for the rest of his team: “I guess that a large part of this award is being given to me simply because I am the visible figure head of Kukuxumusu, so I guess that my partners in Kukuxumusu, Gonzalo Domínguez de Bidaurreta and Koldo Aiestaran, as well as all the rest of the people who work in The Factory of Drawings and Ideas are also deserving of a large part of this award.”.