Prince of Asturias Awards 1981–2014. Speeches

4 O viedo | C ampoamor T heatre | After lamenting that health may have been a determining factor, I would like to express my heartfelt remembrance of someone who held the helm of this organization with tact and generosity from the very beginning. And I want let the new President know that it is with more certainty than hope that we are sure that his proven attributes and interest regarding Asturias will yield the finest results as the Foundation’s future unfolds. I here and now request that all the assistance that can be provided, in whatever form, be offered to the Foundation, because I am certain that its activities are going to further contribute, directly or in collaboration with the Principality’s official authorities and bodies, to the exaltation of this region that we love so much. My warm congratulations to all of the Laureates, as well as to the members of the Juries who have so wisely made their decisions. Among the names of Camilo José Cela, who distinguishes the Award upon being distinguished by it; the already mentioned Sebastian Coe; Pablo Rudomín and Jacinto Convit, Juan José Linz and Eduardo Chillida; the community of Villa El Salvador and the Colombian newspapers El Espectador and El Tiempo , whose merits have been collected in the corresponding citations, allow me to dedicate a very special greeting to Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and to rejoice in the fact that he is able to be here with us today. The important work that he carries out as Secretary-General of the United Nations, in the search of that difficult yet possible peace to which the world aspires and his efforts in favour of Ibero-American cooperation distinguish this international personality who, from this moment forward, shall be a Prince of Asturias Laureate. Allow me to conclude by expressing my pride and satisfaction at being here today, along with The King and Queen and with all of you. Many thanks to my parents for honouring this ceremony with their presence, as a display of their interest for the Foundation and of their unconditional support of the new President. Many thanks to those of you present here who, as in previous years and, God willing, in those to come, afford me the opportunity to continue learning and to intensely experience the transcendence of this ceremony. “I here and now request that all the assistance that can be provided, in whatever form, be offered to the Foundation.” 29 th O ctober 1987