3
P
rince
of
A
sturias
A
wards
1981-2014. S
peeches
Speech VI
In presenting these Awards here today, awards which are now in their sixth edition, I wish to
bring to mind that this is the first time that I do so so after having taken the oath in the Spanish
Parliament, as heir to the Crown, on my coming of age.
This is an important circumstance that links me even further to the obligations that derive
from my condition as Prince of Asturias and increases the responsibilities that are incumbent on
me within the institution of the Monarchy.
This institution is characterized by its continuity and permanence; it transcends individuals and
must rise above transitory and circumstantial situations on both the national and international level.
If, on the national level, the Monarchy must exert itself in fulfilling its constitutional mission for
all the people of Spain, then internationally it should spread its feelings of fellowship and desires
for peace to all the nations of the earth, maintaining the most amiable relations with them.
This generality, this broad and generous point of view, which is consubstantial to the institution
in which I am to serve Spain, must stand apart from limited or variable political concepts in order
to form part of the grand, immutable feeling of harmony and peace, the permanent values of art
and culture as a whole and in their most outstanding and valuable representations.
For me, the Prince of Asturias Awards are satisfying for this
reason; it is precisely because they bear my name and represent
what I do within the Monarchy that they must be separated from
concrete political issues in order to refer to these other universal
principles that pay no heed to constraints of time or space.
The desire for friendship on the part of the Crown, to whose
succession I am called and which I share intensely, goes out —as
I have just said— to all the nations of the world. Nevertheless,
the relationship between Spain and the countries of Ibero-America is an especially pronounced
one and, on many occasions, these countries have been the recipients of the Prince of Asturias
Awards.
In this regard, Iwould like to recall the recent words ofHisMajestyTheKingwhen, at theAssembly
of the United Nations Organization, he emphasised that our integration in the European Economic
Community enriches rather than lessens Spain’s relationship with the countries of America.
Within a short time, I will find myself aboard the
Juan Sebastián Elcano
on the high seas that
were once crossed by Spaniards eager to discover new lands, new worlds and go beyond the limits
of what was then known.
Those of you who receive these Awards today also symbolise the effort to chart a new course,
to carry out new conquests, to extend the limits of culture, art, social communication, science,
literature and cooperation between Spain and the countries of Ibero-America, joined together by
a common language and so many spiritual bonds.
I am proud of this Asturias, with its tradition of emigration, many of whose children have taken
their work, love and efforts to American soil.
I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Laureates and I invite the young people of my
generation to take your labour and dedication as an example. Nations would not progress spiritually
or materially if it were not for individuals like those distinguished here today, individuals who
transcend difficulties, open up new ground and elicit feelings of emulation.
My thanks to the members of the Juries for having wisely fulfilled the task of discerning the best.
Thank you as well to this Foundation that is managing to convey the name of Asturias along the path
of culture —which these Awards symbolise—, to the most far-off corners of the world and which
once again provides me with this magnificent opportunity to be in this beloved land, with you all.
“Nations would not progress spiritually
or materially if it were not for individuals
like those distinguished here today.”
