Lalín honored Fernando Ónega on Saturday by naming a street after him. Dozens of neighbors watched as his family stood in for him at the ceremony. Mayor José Crespo called him “a free ambassador in Madrid for many decades.” Ónega’s widow, Ángela Rodrigo, and their children, Sonsoles, Cristina and Fernando, unveiled the sign.
The ceremony recognized Ónega’s deep ties to the town. Many called him “one more resident of Lalín.” His widow described the day as one “of enormous emotion” and told the crowd, “today we feel that his legacy and his memory remain joined to this town.” FarodeVigo and Galicia Press reported that the ceremony was part of a wider plan to update street names, with Ónega’s among the first additions.
Alongside the street dedication, officials inaugurated a room named Sala Fernando Ónega in the Biblioteca Municipal Varela Jácome. It houses part of his personal collection: approximately 400 books from his private library, donated to the municipal collection, Galicia Press and El Debate reported.
Ónega’s connection to Lalín goes back decades. He was pregonero of the Feira do Cocido in 1996, won the Premio Álvaro Cunqueiro in 1999 and became comendador in 2003. He was later named Fillo Adoptivo de Lalín. The street and library room add to these honors. Diario de Pontevedra reported that the town regards Ónega as part of its identity, beyond his profile as a famous journalist.
After the sign was unveiled, the group moved to the Carragoso social center, where local officials and many neighbors joined them, along with conselleiro de Educación Román Rodríguez. The group of gaitas Os Dezas de Moneixas played the Himno Galego and other songs. The family posed for photos with the musicians and town leaders. La Voz de Galicia reported that the turnout, together with Ónega’s family presence, gave the day meaning.
By naming a street and library room after Ónega, Lalín made its gratitude public and showed its regard for lasting ties and shared stories.
