Prince of Asturias Awards 1981–2014. Speeches

7 P rince of A sturias A wards 1981-2014. S peeches Speech XXIII As the days in our country become shorter in their flight towards winter, we re-live with renewed hopes and expectations yet another inspiring yearly Awards Ceremony. These inspiring, solemn moments are the culmination of many hours dedicated to the belief that our Awards should be a forum for the rapprochement of cultures and dialogue, the dream of a more fraternal mankind and a moral fortress so that what has poetically been described as “the infinite desert plains of ingratitude and oblivion” should never dwell within us. Inspired by these firm beliefs, we extend our warmest welcome from our beloved Asturias to the Laureates, the members of the different Juries, the Foundation’s Trustees and Patrons, the media from so many corners of the world, thousands of anonymous people and others who are prominent figures insofar as what they represent, all of whom have joined us to enjoy this memorable day. I express my deepest gratitude to all these people, for we owe to them and their forerunners the fondness, great admiration and high esteem felt for our Awards in Spain and throughout the world. The work of all the Laureates who honour us yearly with their presence at this theatre is indeed memorable, as is the emotion and inspiration felt when one observes the world and ourselves from this vantage point of fine work, example and commitment epitomised by the men and women who receive our Awards today. It is they, as Cervantes surmised, who show us the way forward, after first having endured much suffering themselves. Peruvian theologianGustavoGutiérrez and Polish journalist RyszardKapuściński, joint Laureates for Communication and the Humanities, are well aware of their own and other people’s suffering. Gustavo Gutiérrez has given his life over to theology; which he defines as a reflection on faith with faith itself as the starting point for reflection. He considers theology to hold a wealth of nuances, as a dialogue, he has said, “with contemporary culture”, as “an approach to the Gospel from a position of freedom” and as “a way of communicating with God in today’s world”. Seen in this light, he perpetuates his faith in humanity, despite the great injustices and inequalities that he is so familiar with. His beliefs are founded upon the conviction that the hope conveyed in the Christian message lives on in all its greatness and is essential if we are to overcome the appalling situations in the world we live in. In the human and spiritual path he has forged, this Peruvian theologian bears witness to the fact that the Christian message does not weaken a commitment towards progress of mankind in our times. He has shown us that the quest for freedom and the desire for liberation —the main aspirations of the world today— have their roots in the heritage of Christianity. Father Gutiérrez has stood out for having known how to build his truth on the basis of comprehensive culture and solid education, qualities that are deeply rooted in the Peruvian people. Ryszard Kapuściński is possibly the world’s most prestigious journalist and a point of reference for any review of the history of the final third of the twentieth century. Like Father Gutiérrez, he views his work as an attempt to stand up for the underdog and to give them a voice, for —in his own words— “somebody has to speak up for the poor.” Through his moral commitment, he has become a highly admired professional, particularly amongst the younger generations of news reporters, who see in him a moral benchmark. Truly observant, gifted like few others with an ability to spot the most revealing, significant details of a complex reality, our Laureate has also turned his hand to narrating his experiences with utmost style and has become a distinguished and respected writer. His work not only describes “Spain has never before been as free, as prosperous, as capable and as much admired as in these times bathed in the light of our ‘law of laws’.” Watch video