P
rince
of
A
sturias
A
wards
1981-2014. S
peeches
11
In this quarter century, and in the figures of our Laureates, we have had the chance to admire
and highlight the power of intelligence, sacrifice and excellence. Moreover, the Foundation and
our Awards have fostered generosity over self-interest, concord over division, peaceful coexistence
over fanaticism, commitment over indifference.
We want this message to be proclaimed with clarity, vigour and force to our youth in particular,
so that they may grow in statute with these virtues, so that they may turn their back on potential
despair and so that they may join the great adventure of life in peace, plenitude and responsibility
with willingness.
Our work started and developed because of the freedom and stability guaranteed under our
Constitution. The Awards and the Foundation behind them combine in their history the same
virtues that have guided the lives of the Spanish people over recent years: determination and
caution, firm convictions, faith and trust in our common future.
After twenty-five years, what most fills us with satisfaction is to see the most valuable of the many
shows of support that our Foundation and Laureates could receive: the fact that the great majority of
Spaniards consider them as a great Spanish cultural and moral heritage for the world at large.
The Crown has encouraged the Foundation in its ongoing
pursuit of culture. It is work in the service of Spain, in the service
of our progress and our projection abroad as a great nation. This
is the main reason that inspired HM The King in his support of
the founding of our organization; alongside HM The Queen, he
has given us this support at all times.
Like our unforgettable Julián Marías, I now think that the
most important thing is to look forward towards the future and believe in what we are doing. The
Princess and I are happy to think that we will pass on to our children all the substance of these
emotions and lessons, the emotive heritage of unforgettable memories. Because we want hope, the
desire for a fairer world and the tireless quest for a mankind of free men and women to blossom in
their hearts. Because, in short, we want them, like us, to also believe in the light just before the dawn.
Thank you
“The Crown has encouraged the Foundation
in its ongoing pursuit of culture.”
