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Speech by HRH The Prince of Asturias at the 1983 Prince of Asturias Awards Ceremony

I express my desire to be an applied student in learning and studying the scientific and artistic works and biographies that have been awarded. These symbolise the fecund life of the communities, to which our Foundation, through culture and humanism, wants to be of service.

The Prince of Asturias Foundation´s family, with its expansive and fraternal embrace, keeps increasing in size.

This is the third occasion that I am addressing you during the solemn presentation ceremony of the awards that bear my name and, like in previous years, I feel moved and full of responsibility.

An "examination" of sorts is what I am experiencing now, like every year, but with much more satisfaction and joy than with other types of academic examinations.

At this time I would like to recall a special event:

At the beginning of last June, in representation of my father, the King, I made my first trip to America in order to attend the commemoration of the four hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of Cartagena de Indias. For me, this has been unforgettable. To America, beautiful and plural, prolongation of our homeland across the oceans, I would like to return again and again.

For this reason, I express my gratitude in this public ceremony for the hospitality and affection that were afforded to me by the President of the Republic of Columbia, Belisario Betancur, who is among us today.

Mr. President, thank you very much. I give you thanks from here, from my universal home of Asturias, from where so many children set out to meld themselves in ardour and work with their fellows from the communities of Spanish America.

In culture and education lies the secret of co-existence, progress, and peace. Because of this I believe, like I said at the beginning, that the aims of this Foundation contribute to broaden our great Hispano-American community. In this regard, I feel whole-heatedly united to all of your initiatives and objectives.

On the other hand, the awards that have gained more renown and importance with each passing day have turned into a permanent and necessary message that is dispatched from here, to Spain as well as to the nations of America, and that allows us to enrich the legacy of distinguished names in the domain of the arts, letters, science, and in the cooperation between individuals and communities.

I congratulate all of the award-winners. The fact that you have been chosen demonstrates how very demanding the Prince of Asturias Foundation´s requirements are.

I also congratulate the Jury for accuracy of their work, difficult and committed as it is.

I express my gratitude to the wonderful region of Asturias and to this noble city of Oviedo for offering us these magnificent surroundings.

And lastly I express my desire to be an applied student in learning and studying the scientific and artistic works and biographies that have been awarded. These symbolise the fecund life of the communities, to which our Foundation, through culture and humanism, wants to be of service.

Thank you very much.

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