The Prado Museum 2019 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities

Statement by Miguel Falomir Faus, Following the conferral of the 2019 Princess of Asturias Awards for Communication and Humanities on the Prado Museum

“First of all, the Prado Museum wholeheartedly thanks the Jury –on behalf of its Royal Board of Trustees and its more than 400 employees– for its deference in having chosen its candidature from among so many valuable possibilities, while also considering all the nominees to be worthy of high esteem for their values and projects. Being nominated for and aspiring to this award have already constituted a reason to be overjoyed.

The Prado Museum receives this award with the legitimate pride of being the heritage of all Spaniards, a sign of identity of our common history and aspirations for the future.

This recognition is in fact an award to all the generations that have preceded us and an advance reward to those that will succeed us, as the Prado is history, but also what is yet to come, a source of knowledge and education in humanistic values for the youngest members of society. Spanish culture, its institutions, its workers and its public deserve to form part of this great day.

The Prado and its 200 years of history have been the mirror into which we have gazed and in which the great artists have found a source of inspiration.

All the history, all the stories, all the feelings that cause us to recognize ourselves are to be found here. Thanks to Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Rubens and all the greats.

The Prado is a National Museum, of all and for all; a Spanish Museum, in identity and heritage; and a Universal Museum due to its significance; but, above all, it is a Museum that unites us, makes us one and betters us.”

Miguel Falomir Faus
Director of the Prado Museum
Melilla, 30th April 2019