8
L
aureates
1981–2014
Federico García Moliner is one of the most distinguished
representatives of the Spain that enjoys international prestige
in the field of science. I do not only wish to emphasise his facet
as a scientific researcher, in which he has achieved an extremely
high degree of success in the field of solid state physics, but
also his resolute efforts in favour of Spanish science, by giving
up exceptional economic and material conditions abroad and
returning to Spain in order to join in the common undertaking
of his homeland.
Ceaseless worker and scholar, spiritual father of various
generations of economists, heir to the most lucid minds of the
Asturian Enlightenment, Juan Velarde Fuertes is a model for his
independence of judgement and for the rigour of his research, as well as for the generosity with
which he conveys it.
For the first time, a dramatist receives the Prince of Asturias Award for Literature. Francisco
Nieva is an extraordinary personality who, through the unique hallmark of his work, has known
how to combine the most important vanguards of our century with the most brilliant theatrical
tradition.
The best features of Spanish youth are reflected both naturally and spontaneously in the figure
of Miguel Induráin: sacrificing, simple, loyal to his team-mates and generous with his rivals,
affectionate with those who admire him, this great athlete possesses a professional career which,
despite its fecundity, still awaits better days to come.
On this day when Spain announces to the world via this event its admiration for those who
leave behind them works via which they show they have lived, as Nebrija asked of men, I wish
to recall my visits to the World Fair in Seville, where I witnessed the force and imagination of
present-day Spain. I would also like to recall with special emotion the moment in which I had the
honour, as standard bearer of the Spanish flag, of leading our country’s delegation of sportsmen
and women at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Barcelona.
My wish is for this fond memory to accompany my congratulations to our sportsmen and
women for their accomplishments and to so many other fellow countrymen and women who,
during this year in which we commemorate the Quincentenary of the Discovery of America, have
made it possible with their hopes, enthusiasm, imagination and generosity for us Spaniards to go
—as Unamuno once entreated— from dreaming to making our dreams a reality.
Thank you very much.
“In a year as meaningful for Spain as this,
in which so many milestones in our history are
being celebrated, the Foundation could not
have found —and for this I congratulate
its Juries— a better representation of the
spirit and aspirations of these Awards.”
31
st
O
ctober
1992
