Prince of Asturias Awards 1981–2014. Speeches

7 P rince of A sturias A wards 1981-2014. S peeches Speech XXXII The Princess and I are honoured and fortunate, as we have returned to our beloved Asturias, to this annual Awards event in Oviedo, to celebrate the triumph of intelligence, to recognize a job well done, to extol generosity and altruism, to proclaim that our Laureates are an example to one and all. For we believe that those who dedicate their work and their time to the pursuit of truth and beauty help us find ways to move forward into the future; because we know that the work of those who put ethics and commitment before any banal desire and shared well-being before one’s own drives us towards that fuller, more dignified and better life that we all yearn for. Our Laureates help us keep hope alive and, reinforce, once again, on this autumn evening —which is also an evening of light— our confidence in the noble values of the human spirit. Our Foundation is not oblivious to today’s challenges and difficulties: it cannot and does not wish to be, either. This ceremony means so much because we are accompanied —be it only for a few hours— by those who embody everything we admire. Furthermore, we are able to convey to them how their example aids, encourages and comforts us. In the year in which Spain celebrates the bicentennial of the Constitution of Cadiz, the first constitutional text that opened the doors to the transition to the modern era in our country, the lesson of patriotism of its architects —known as “Spaniards from both hemispheres”—and the example of self-improvement of the people of Spain in those historic times are likewise a rewarding source of inspiration for one and all. Moreover, we are filled with pride to know that this text signified a major contribution to constitutionalism and freedom, especially in America and Europe. This is a day for gratitude. Gratitude to our Laureates, for all they represent of what is sublime. And gratitude to those who, through their generosity, allow us to carry on our undertaking with hopes intact: our Trustees and Patrons, members of the Juries, the media and so many other people who share with us their enthusiasm, admiration and respect for the work of the Laureates, the leading figures in this ceremony. We also extend a most special greeting to the hundreds of volunteers from the Red Cross and the Food Banks who have joined us here in Oviedo today. My most sincere congratulations to the Laureates, to whom I now wish to devote my words. The Spanish architect Rafael Moneo has received the Award for the Arts. His name thus joins the ranks of other illustrious colleagues of his who were granted the Award in previous years; among these, one of his former teachers, Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza, from Navarre like him, whom we are sure Rafael Moneo will remember today with particular emotion, as do we. Rafael Moneo has worked all these years with the clarity of mind and intelligence of someone fully aware that their work can and must improve the lives of others. Not unrelated to this attitude is his academic vocation, his belief that the practice of architecture has to maintain a dialogue with teaching and intellectual reflection. All this translates into his outstanding work as a teacher, above all in Spain and the United States, where he was chair of Harvard University’s Department of Architecture. TheMuseumof RomanArt inMérida, the “Kursaal” in San Sebastián, the extension of the Prado Museum and other prominent international projects are sublime examples of his extraordinary talent and constitute works he has masterfully managed to integrate in the historical evolution of the city and the urban landscape. Rafael Moneo claims this is the utmost a work of architecture can aspire to. Stated so baldly, it seems so easy and simple, and yet it is one of the most important and most difficult features to find in major architectural projects. “Our Foundation is not oblivious to today’s challenges and difficulties: it cannot and does not wish to be.” Watch video