Prince of Asturias Awards 1981–2014. Speeches

8 O viedo | C ampoamor T heatre | problems from an uncompromising stance that rejects the superficiality, intolerance, Puritanism and dogmatic beliefs that cause such devastation to the wellbeing of society. His characters, so meek and so close to our own lives, convey their love for the sincere, morally acceptable facets of minor, everyday events with an extraordinary psychological force. This surprising ability to interpret both the society of his times and society throughout history, to take on the position of rebel with a profound sense of justice and to offer us enduring reflections hinting at enlightening solutions has made a lasting impression on several generations of Spaniards, who —particularly during the years of hardship— found intellectual stimulus and first- rate moral guidance in Miller’s theatre. Just as Willy Loman, the protagonist of Death of a Salesman , is painfully aware of the felling of the old oak trees in his street, so are we also profoundly moved by Miller’s unbreakable spirit. With the same nostalgia with which his memorable character evoked the springtime scent of the lime trees and acacias near his house, so are we also moved, and we admire the message of his work, which heralds a forthcoming new spring, the advent of a time of hope. An original German writer, the source of perceptive observations about Spain, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, has been conferred with the Award for Communication and Humanities. The versatility and richness of his thought are hallmarks that set him apart in the field of contemporary European arts, With exceptional sensitivity and intellectual perception, Enzensberger writes poetry, essays, theatre and media articles founded upon a profound humanistic education and an enormous capacity for observation and literary criticism, Apart from targeting burning issues such as poverty, emigration, xenophobia and racism, Enzensberger calls upon us to rise to the challenges that are upon us, such as the welcome new- found role of women in society, the possibility of inter-racial breeding in a spirit of solidarity in Europe, the rational use of economic development and the need for a new teaching methodology that appeals to children during their school years, so that they learn that only education and ongoing training will make them free. To stimulate society with new ideas, to shake it out of the slightest tendency to drift along from lethargy and routine, to take poetry to the masses, to translate complicated scientific concepts into clearly understandable words or to turn his caustic, sharp-witted humour on sectarianism and violent ideologies are all additional facets of Enzensberger’s work, which is replete with thought- provoking proposals for Europe and the world we would wish for. On more than one occasion, we have heard our Laureates in different fields warn us from this very stage of the threats and excesses of contemporary societies. But we have also been reminded in unforgettable words that we can, and indeed should, hold on to our hope that a balanced, rational use of science and technology will add to the well-being of all mankind and facilitate man’s life on earth, This is why the Jury’s decision to confer the Award for Technical and Scientific Research on those who we know as “the forefathers of Internet” —the Americans Lawrence Roberts, Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn and the Briton Tim Berners-Lee— was such a wise one. With their talent and sacrifice, they have created the most immediate, imaginative and revolutionary communication and information medium in the history of mankind. In a show of fairness, the Jury also recognized the participation of thousands of people and of many organizations in this task when they bestowed the Award. The influence that Internet is having on the fields of culture, finance, the business world, education, scientific research and technology is a major one, because —as has already been said— one of its many hallmarks is an extraordinary capacity to distribute the power of information. According to its creators, Internet will still provide us with unthought-of, surprising applications, whereby many of the forthcoming social changes will be decisively and inevitably linked to the evolution and improvement of this new medium for universal communication. “Our Foundation has always been particularly responsive to efforts to defend the environment, and has always made highlighting its benefits for humanity one of its concerns.” 25 th O ctober 2002